2 dead in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting: What we know so far
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – At least two students were killed in a shooting at a building of Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Tuesday morning, August 18.
Ateneo de Zamboanga University confirmed the two deaths inside its junior high school campus. One of those who died was the shooter himself.
Outside the school in Zamboanga City, a crowd gathered, mostly worried parents, waiting anxiously for word about their children.
Police said the incident occurred at about 7:45 am at the university’s Tumaga campus in Barangay Tumaga.
Authorities said the suspect was a minor, while the victim was a 10th grader, also a minor.
Initial police findings showed that the shooter went to Room 404 of the campus building and shot the other student, killing him. He then ran down to the third floor, shouted, and then shot himself.
Zamboanga police deputy director Lieutenant Colonel Paul Andrew Cortes told RMN Zamboanga that one of the fatalities and a pistol were found in the 5th floor of the building.
Gun from Bureau of Customs
Police said they found two 9mm pistols at the crime scene, and that it looked like a case of premeditated attack.
The father of the shooter was the Enforcement and Security Service District commander of the port of Zamboanga, according to Bureau of Customs chief Ariel Nepomuceno.
He also confirmed that at least one of the guns used by the shooter had been issued by BOC.
“I had to relieve him immediately to have an impartial investigation,” Nepomuceno told Rappler.
Details of the campus shooting remained sketchy, and people, including reporters, were barred from getting inside. This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
Philippine National Police chief General Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities in Zamboanga were establishing the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“The situation is now under control,” he said even as he called for calm.
Father Guillrey Anthony Andal, AdZU president, said students had to be evacuated to a safe place immediately after the gun attack took place, and teachers took care of them.
Ironically, he said, the shooting occurred shortly after the university’s security team conducted simulation exercises to prepare for such incidents.
“We are deeply, deeply saddened by this incident,” Andal said.
Roblox fanatic?
Over ANC News Channel, Zamboanga Mayor Khymer Olaso said the suspect killed himself after shooting at a teacher and another student. He said the teacher was unscathed but the other student was fatally hit in one of the classrooms.
He said at least three others were reportedly hurt.
Olaso said the shooter, whom he said was a 7th grader, was armed with two firearms, one a high-caliber weapon and a short arm. Police, however, said the shooter was a 9th grader, and that the two guns recovered were all 9mm pistols.
He told ANC that the shooter was a “very bright student” but was reportedly a “Roblox fanatic.” The online gaming platform has recently faced increased scrutiny in the country over child safety, sexual grooming and the risk of violent extremist radicalization targeting minors.
Olaso said it was time for Congress to ban violent online games in the country and urged parents and guardians to keep firearms out of their children’s reach.
Classes at the AdZU have been suspended following the incident, he said.
‘Gravely concerned’
The Department of Education (DepEd) said it was “gravely concerned” over the reported shooting at the university’s campus.
DepEd said it was ready to provide support and assistance to affected students, families and school personnel, and was coordinating with mental health partners to provide psychological first aid and psychosocial support.
It urged the public not to spread unverified information or share sensitive photos, videos or other details about the incident, particularly because minors were involved.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately clear.
In a statement, the university said it was saddened by the incident inside its junior high school campus.
“As of now, we confirm that there are two fatalities. As for other information, we are coordinating with authorities for the full report with full details to be provided as soon as possible,” AdZU said.
It said the safety of its students was its top priority, and it has already coordinated with parents and guardians to pick up their children while ensuring the safety of those remaining on campus.
AdZU said it has set up official communication channels even as it urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information, photos, and videos “as these will only bring further harm to those involved and may hinder the ongoing investigation of the incident.”
The university also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of all those affected.
“We pray for the quick resolution of the situation and for the safety of all,” AdZU said.
Call to action
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed sympathy to the families of the students who died and called for a thorough investigation into the shooting, including how a minor gained access to a firearm.
The group said the incident showed the need to strengthen mental health and psychosocial services in schools, improve support for teachers and students, and address what it described as a culture of violence. It also urged Congress and the Marcos Jr. administration to prioritize education and basic social services in next year’s budget.
The shooting followed an attack in June at a public high school in Tacloban City in which at least three students were killed and about 20 others injured when two of their schoolmates opened fire on campus.
School shootings are rare in the Philippines, which has relatively strict gun ownership regulations, including background checks and psychological evaluation requirements, although illegal firearms remain in circulation.
The school is a five-story building on an 8-hectare site that houses the university’s grade school and junior high school students, according to its website. – With reports from Pia Ranada, Reuters/Rappler.com
