By CYRUS M. GARDE
SAGAY City — A man who shot to death his neighbor was killed after he traded gunshots with policemen running after him in Purok Crotons, Barangay Old Sagay here.
Leopoldo Almenson, 74, of the said village peppered Jose Teody Azucena, 61, with bullets. He also shot Azucena’s wife, Jesserie, but missed.
Almenson, who was wielding a .45-caliber pistol, went to the victim’s house at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to confront Azucena.
Almenson complained against Azucena before their barangay council. They were supposed to have a conflict settlement, but the latter did not show up.
Both had a heated argument, and then Almenson drew out his gun and started shooting.
Azucena was rushed to the Lopez District Planters Hospital, Inc. but was declared dead on arrival. He succumbed to gunshot wounds.
Almenson went back to his house but did not stay long when he learned that city policemen led by Supt. Edcel Manzano were out to get him.
He sought refuge in another house. Policemen called out to him, asking him to surrender, but he fired at them instead.
The police fired back and hit Almenson. He was rushed to the said hospital but was also declared dead on arrival.
A 3-year-old boy who was sleeping in the house was hit by a bullet in the head when he stood up upon hearing the gunshots.
He was rushed to the hospital and was already in a stable condition.
It was not clear what Almenson’s complaint was all about./PN
