By CESAR JOLITO III

A 17-year-old minor was shot along the national highway of Barangay Refugio in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town on Thursday night, February 5, prompting an ongoing police investigation that has identified a 21-year-old man as the prime suspect.

Police identified the victim by the alias “Japoy,” a resident of San Carlos City’s Barangay 5.

The suspect was identified as alias “Wawa,” a resident of Purok Sling in San Carlos City’s Barangay 1.

Authorities said the incident occurred after the two reportedly met earlier that evening.

One of the victim’s friends told investigators that a few days before the shooting, “Wawa” went to their place to remind the victim of an outstanding debt.

The victim allegedly ignored the reminder.

Further examination of the victim’s recovered phone revealed a conversation showing that both parties agreed to meet outside their residence at Campo 7 in Barangay 5.

Recovered CCTV footage showed that at 8:25 p.m. on the same date, the victim and the suspect were together riding a motorcycle and heading toward Calatrava, where the shooting later occurred.

Police continue to gather evidence and pursue appropriate charges as the investigation progresses./CJ, WDJ