Two students killed in shooting at private Zamboanga school, Philippines

Two students died in a shooting at a private school in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga on Tuesday morning, including the student suspected of opening fire, city officials said.

Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso confirmed that the alleged shooter and the other person killed were both students at Ateneo de Zamboanga University. He said the circumstances surrounding the incident remained under investigation.

The confirmation clarifies an initial Reuters report that described two casualties without specifying whether they had been killed or wounded.

Police declare campus secure

The shooting occurred early Tuesday at the Jesuit-run university’s high school campus in Barangay Tumaga.

Police Major Shellamie Chang, spokesperson for Police Regional Office 9, said two students had been identified as victims.

Crime-scene investigators and other law-enforcement personnel were deployed to the campus.

City police director Colonel Fidel Fortaleza said that by 8.40am there was “zero threat already”, indicating that the immediate danger had ended.

The university asked parents to remain calm and collect their children from a designated area inside the campus. Parents subsequently gathered at the school following reports of the shooting.

Psychosocial assistance prepared

The Philippine Department of Education said it was gravely concerned and was coordinating with mental-health partners to provide psychological first aid and psychosocial assistance to students, employees and others affected.

The department also urged the public not to circulate unverified information or sensitive images and videos, particularly because minors were involved.

Authorities had not disclosed the motive, the type or source of the weapon, or precisely how the shooting unfolded. The investigation remained in progress.