A tragic incident unfolded at Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in the southern Philippines when a high school student armed with two pistols fatally shot a fellow student before taking his own life. This devastating event, which was livestreamed using a body-worn camera, marked the second school shooting resulting in death in the country within a span of two months.
Following the gunshots at the high school building, hundreds of students were evacuated as authorities responded to the distressing situation in Zamboanga. The assailant, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, first targeted a teacher but missed, then proceeded to shoot a student on the fourth floor before ending his own life on the fifth floor.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that the attacker broadcasted the attack on Facebook Live, capturing moments of the violence before his demise. Investigators are now delving into the suspect’s online activities to ascertain the motives behind the tragic incident.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the assailant shot himself after carrying out the fatal attack. The high school building where the violence occurred is within a secure campus, distinct from the larger campus of the Catholic university. In response to the tragedy, Ateneo suspended classes across all levels for two days.
Eye-witness Joe Darryl Jaron captured the chaotic scene on video, documenting the panic and fear that gripped the students during the shooting. Police later assured the public that the situation was contained and urged parents to follow the school’s instructions for picking up their children.
The national police chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., emphasized the importance of verifying information to prevent the spread of unconfirmed reports that could cause undue alarm. Meanwhile, it was revealed that one of the pistols used in the attack belonged to the suspect’s father, who may face repercussions for failing to secure the firearm properly.
Despite efforts to enhance school security in the wake of previous incidents, such as the June shooting in Tacloban city, where three students were killed and many others injured, the tragic shooting at Ateneo underscores the ongoing challenges posed by gun-related crimes in the Philippines.