Philippines: Student Livestreams School Shooting

A high school student in the Philippines opened fire at a private university campus, killing a fellow student and injuring two others before taking his own life. The shooting, livestreamed via a body camera, occurred at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga, about 800 kilometers south of Manila. Hundreds of students were evacuated after gunshots were heard in the high school building, located on a secure campus separate from the main university campus.

The suspect, a ninth-grade student aged 14-16, entered the school with a pistol and rifle, opening fire in a classroom. Police are investigating how the suspect obtained the firearms and are still trying to determine the motive. A few hours after the incident, authorities stated that the situation was under control and urged parents and guardians to remain calm and follow the school's instructions to collect their children.

The police chief also requested the public to avoid sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary concern.

In the livestreamed video, the assailant can be seen moving down a hallway and aiming the gun into a classroom, firing shots at a teacher and another student before turning the gun on himself. Authorities have disabled the alleged shooter's Facebook account, and classes at the university were suspended in the wake of the shooting.

School shootings in the Philippines are rare due to strict gun ownership regulations, but a black market for firearms exists. In June, a shooting in the eastern city of Tacloban resulted in the deaths of three students and injuries to 20 others. The Ateneo de Zamboanga campus had recently conducted active-shooter drills, and the police spokesperson mentioned that security measures have been strengthened in schools following these incidents.