A freezer van driver sustained multiple gunshot wounds that resulted in his death at the highway in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, Sunday night, August 13.
John Mark Sotto, 34, of Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City, was shot multiple times by an unidentified suspect at Sitio Beatingo, Brgy. Old Poblacion, Escalante, the police reported on Monday.
Witnesses said that the victim, accompanied by his helper, was driving his freezer van and stopped in the area to meet with his co-worker to pick up his weekly salary.
Minutes after a gray car without a plate number stopped in front of van and its driver asked for water claiming that his car was overheating.
Witnesses said that when Sotto responded, the suspect drew his firearm and shot the victim several times resulting in his death.
Escalante Police Chief Maj. John Ganzon told DIGICAST NEGROS that they have recovered eight empty shells of a suspected .45 caliber pistol.
They are still investigating the cause of the incident as there were initial reports that the victim was targeted for revenge or was wrongfully identified as the target, Ganzon said.
Witnesses said that the suspect was about 5 feet 8 inches tall and wore a black shirt and a face mask.
Ganzon said that they are also waiting for the results of the medico-legal examination conducted on the remains of the victim.*