Judge wounded, bodyguard killed in shooting incident in Negros Oriental

Miami
November 10, 2008
Story: Judge wounded, bodyguard killed in shooting incident in Negros Oriental

A judge in a city of Negros Oriental is wounded while his bodyguard died in a shooting accident occurred last Friday dawn.

The incident occurred in Sitio Looc, Barangay Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental at around 12:30 am. The victims were identified as Judge Mario Trinidad of Regional Trial Court branch 64 and his bodyguard Dolfo Guzman.

Sr. Supt. Augusto Marquez, Provincial director of Negros Oriental said that based on his conversation with Judge Trinidad yesterday, the incident could be work-related. But Marquez added that he ordered the investigators to look into every possible angle that lead to the shooting of the two.

Based on the investigation, the two came from the house of the friend of the judge in Sitio Bateria also in barangay Poblacion. While the two were on their way home to the judge’s residence, two suspects riding in tandem in a motorcycle followed them.

The two suspects were wearing helmet one of whom is armed with M-16 rifle.

The suspects shot the bodyguard who is riding at a motorcycle following the multi-cab that was being driven by the judge. Domingo sustained multiple gunshot wounds on different parts of his body that caused his instant death.

While judge Trinidad was hit at the right side of his face, right thigh and back portion of his body. Despite of the gunshot wound, he managed to go to his residence which is 100 to 120 meters away from the crime scene. At this point the suspects fled immediately to unknown direction.

Marquez said he also ordered the investigators to check if the real target of the suspects is the bodyguard of the Judge Trinidad, “Maybe the bodyguard is the one being target because he was killed while the Judge was only hurt.”

The police also learned that Domingo is working for the judge for the past two years.

Marquez added that they will check on the past five years and present cases that the judge is handling to see if there are any connections on the incident.

He added that he asked the judge if he is receiving death threats, the Judge told Marquez that he ahs no any death threats.

Recovered from the crime scene 10 empty shells of calibre 5.56.

The judge is now being confined at Siliman University Medical Center and was declared out of danger.