A robbery suspect was killed last Friday night after being gunned down by unidentified assailants along Mabini Street in Bacolod City’s Barangay 30. Police identified the fatality as Johnny Lizzo, a resident of the city’s Barangay 40.
In a press conference held yesterday morning, Police Station 6 (PS6) commander, Police Captain Elmer Bonilla, said the victim was operating an e-trike carrying several cases of soft drinks when the occupants of a sport utility vehicle stopped and opened fire.
The shooters then sped away in their vehicle.
Lizzo was killed on the spot after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the body and head.
Bonilla said several police officers were nearby during the attack and, after hearing gunfire, immediately left their post and proceeded to Lizzo’s location.
Police recovered six empty shells and six deformed slugs from a .45 caliber firearm.
Bonilla said the recovered shells and slugs will undergo ballistics examinations.
As for the suspect’s background, the law enforcement official said he has a pending robbery case from August 2017 as well as theft charges that were filed last year.
Lizzo is also listed as a drug suspect under PS6 and had surrendered to their station via “Oplan: Tokhang.”
Bonilla also revealed, they recovered 20 pieces of paper from the victim’s remains showing a picture of Lizzo with the words: “Drugs for sale, Marijuana pa more.”
He said they have yet to confirm if Lizzo was carrying the paper or if it was left by the assailants.
Surveillance of the suspect also indicated the he may have been actively selling illegal drugs.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson, Police Lt. Colonel Ariel Pico, meanwhile, said it is still too early to determine a real motive behind the murder, although they believe there is a possibility the incident may have stemmed from a drug deal gone wrong.
The police spokesperson appealed again for drug suspects in the city to surrender and change their ways.
He also said BCPO will do everything in their power to keep them safe as long as those who surrender reveal everything they know about the illegal drug trade./DGB, WDJ
