A teacher was allegedly the initial target of the student gunman in the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) Junior High School on Tuesday, August 18, according to Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso.
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Wednesday, Olaso said the student allegedly targeted the teacher because he was dissatisfied with the grades he received in the subject.
The mayor said the student reportedly failed to hit the teacher before moving to another classroom and targeting other individuals.
“Ang intensyon niya ay tirahin ang teacher niya… Parang medyo dismayado siya sa grado niya… kasi matalino itong batang ito, honor student ito,” Olaso said.
“‘Yung teacher [target], medyo obsessed na rin siya, hindi niya na[target] ‘yung teacher,” he added.
According to the mayor, the gunman’s first shot appeared to misfire, preventing him from hitting the teacher.
“Yung unang putok niya [ng baril] parang nag-misfire. So noong hindi tumama… hindi napuruhan yung teacher, lumipat siya sa ibang room,” he said.
Olaso also disclosed that the student may have been affected by teasing from some of his classmates over his grades.
No security guard killed
Meanwhile, Olaso clarified that no security guard was killed in the shooting, contrary to earlier reports.
He confirmed that two students died in the incident, including the gunman, while another student was injured and is now in stable condition.
The mayor also said the firearms used in the shooting were documented and linked to the gunman’s family.
Following the incident, all classes in Zamboanga City were suspended, while schools were directed to reassess and strengthen their security protocols.
Several government agencies, led by the Philippine National Police (PNP), are continuing their investigation into the shooting.
