AN accused in a robbery case was shot dead a few minutes after stepping out of the courtroom where he attended the initial trial of his case at 10:35 a.m. last Thursday.

Ruben Patricio, 25, of San Jacinto was shot along with one of his four companions along Ayusip road, only a few meters away from the Dagupan City justice hall.

He died from gunshot wounds in the head and different parts of his body.

Two men riding tandem on a motorcycle chased them and opened fire at the tricycle they rode on.
One of Patricio’s companions, who is still unidentified, was also hit in the shooting incident and rushed to the Region I Medical Center. He is now out of danger.

SPO1 Jimmy Cornel, desk officer of the Police Community Precinct 6 at Tondaligan Park in Bonuan Gueset, said three slugs and seven empty shells of Cal. 45 pistol were found at the crime scene.

Investigation conducted by the police stated that Patricio had just left Branch 43 of the Regional Trial Court under Judge Silverio Castillo for the first day of the hearing of his (Patricio’s) case. Investigators theorized vendetta as possible motive of the slaying although investigation is still on progress.