By CESAR JOLITO III

Police authorities arrested a suspect just hours after a shooting incident during a fiesta in Negros Occidental’s Escalante City that left one person dead and five others injured.

The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) confirmed that the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 22 at Park Homes Housing in Sitio Buntoranon, Barangay Washington.

The fatality, whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at Vicente Gustilo District Hospital.

Five other individuals were hit by stray bullets and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Authorities recovered from the crime scene one live .45 caliber ammunition, six fired cartridge cases of .45 caliber, and two fired cartridge cases of 9mm, which have been submitted for forensic examination.

A hot pursuit operation led to the arrest of a 48-year-old male suspect who voluntarily surrendered to authorities in San Carlos City’s Barangay Bulwangan, at around 11:00 a.m. the same day.

The suspect is now in police custody and is facing charges of homicide, frustrated homicide and physical injuries.

He will undergo paraffin testing.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the motive behind the shooting and to identify other possible suspects.

Police have also called on the public to remain vigilant and to provide any information that may help in resolving the case./CJ, WDJ