One of the two Grade 9 suspects in the fatal shooting inside a school in Tacloban City played the 'violent' online game 'GoreBox,' the police said on Tuesday.
According to PRO-8 Director PBGen. Jason Capoy, investigators found that the 14-year-old suspect, who used the service firearm of his policewoman aunt, had been playing the game, which authorities described as containing shooting elements similar to those found in other online games.
14-year-old student who allegedly used the service firearm of his aunt
“Just like Roblox, may laro, shooting shooting din, may firearm,” Capoy said, referring to gameplay mechanics. “Medyo bayolente po yung laro,” he added.
Authorities said the 14-year-old suspect was the one who had been playing the online game. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is looking into the possibility that exposure to the violent game may have influenced the behavior of one of the two gunmen.
The two male Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire inside the San Jose National High School on Monday morning, June 22.
Capoy earlier disclosed that the two minors allegedly planned the attack at San Jose National High School for more than a month before carrying out the shooting. Investigators also said the suspects had already identified a target as early as May 1.
The two suspects are now in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), pending turnover to the city social welfare office in line with Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
Authorities said the incident left three students dead, 15 others injured due to gunshot wounds, and five more suffering non-shooting-related injuries.
