By CESAR JOLITO III

Two separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental on Wednesday, May 6, left one man dead and another injured, prompting police investigations and pursuit operations.

In Don Salvador Benedicto, a 39-year-old farmer was killed after allegedly being shot by his 21-year-old stepson inside their home in Barangay Bunga’s Purok Kapehan at 10:30 a.m.

Police identified the suspect only as alias “Jay-R,” also a farmer and resident of the village.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect was drinking coffee inside their house when the victim arrived, triggering a heated argument.

Authorities said the suspect allegedly grabbed an improvised 12-gauge shotgun locally known as “sulpak” and shot the victim.

He sustained gunshot wounds to the forehead and left hip, resulting in his immediate death.

The victim was rushed to the Rural Health Unit in the town, where he was declared dead on arrival.

“Jay-R” was later arrested and taken into police custody.

Meanwhile, another shooting incident was reported at Smile Village in Murcia town’s Barangay Salvacion at 7:20 p.m. also on Wednesday.

Police said the victim, a 31-year-old man from Sipalay City’s Barangay San Jose Mina, was sitting on a wooden bench waiting for dinner when an unidentified suspect suddenly approached and shot him twice in the back.

The assailant immediately fled toward the direction of Barangay Alegria.

The victim was initially brought to the Murcia Health Unit before being transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City for further medical treatment.

Police launched hot pursuit operations to identify and arrest the suspect, while Scene of the Crime Operatives were requested to assist in the investigation./CJ, WDJ