A Grade 7 student shot and killed a classmate before taking his own life during a school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in the southern Philippines on Tuesday, August 18, officials confirmed.
Authorities report no active shooter remains after the attack, which triggered the evacuation of hundreds of students. Police are investigating the incident amid broader concerns over school safety in the country.
Immediate Response & Verified Facts
The shooting occurred at the high school section of Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, a Catholic-affiliated institution. Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso stated the gunman was a seventh-grader who entered the campus carrying two firearms: a high-powered rifle and a .45-caliber pistol.
According to Olaso, the suspect first fired at a teacher but missed, then entered a classroom where he shot and killed a fellow student. The gunman then turned the weapon on himself, resulting in two fatalities. Regional police spokesperson Major Shellamie Chang confirmed the situation was under control shortly after the incident.
University president Ernald Andal reiterated there were no additional injuries or fatalities, and no further threats. He stated the school was coordinating with authorities to ensure safety. National police chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information, emphasizing that investigations were ongoing.
Witness Accounts & Video Evidence
A screen-grabbed video circulated by local media appears to show the shooter moving through the school, firing at a teacher before entering a classroom. Olaso referenced the footage in his statements to DZMM radio, though its authenticity has not been independently verified by authorities.
Hundreds of students were evacuated from the high school building, which is located on a separate, secured campus from the university’s main facilities. Parents were instructed to follow the school’s pickup procedures as police secured the area.
Broader Context & Recent Incidents
This attack follows a June shooting in Tacloban City, where two students killed three classmates and injured 20 others. It also comes less than two weeks after a school shooting in Thailand, where a student killed two teachers and injured others.
General Nartatez acknowledged that despite prior assurances of strengthened school security, the incident raises questions about enforcement. Police have not yet disclosed the suspect’s motive or how he obtained the firearms.
Police continue to investigate the shooting, with authorities stating that verified updates will be provided as they become available. The school and local government have pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.