Student kills classmate, self in Zamboanga school shooting
A student opened fire at a Zamboanga high school, killing a classmate and himself. Two others were injured.
A tragic shooting unfolded at a high school in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga on Tuesday, leaving two students dead, including the attacker. Authorities confirmed the incident occurred at the junior high campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso stated that the suspect, a student, was carrying two firearms and appeared to have worn a body camera to livestream the attack. The mayor said the suspect first fired at a teacher, though it remains unclear if the teacher was struck. He then shot a fellow student, who succumbed to their injuries, before turning the gun on himself.
Two other individuals were reported injured in the attack. Following the gunfire, hundreds of students were evacuated from the building, which is located within a secured campus separate from the university's main grounds. Police declared the situation under control a few hours after the shooting began.
University President Fr. Guillrey Anthony "Ernald" M. Andal expressed deep sorrow over the event, confirming two fatalities and stating that the institution is coordinating with authorities for a full report. National police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators are working to establish the circumstances and urged the public to avoid sharing unconfirmed information.
The incident comes despite earlier assurances of strengthened school security following a June shooting in Tacloban city that killed three students. While gun-related crimes are not uncommon in the Philippines, school shootings remain relatively rare. The attack also follows a recent school shooting in neighboring Thailand, which prompted new gun control measures there.