Philippine Student Kills Two, Self in Third School Shooting Since June

A 16-year-old student fatally shot two classmates and injured eight others at a Philippine high school on Friday before killing himself, marking the third deadly school shooting in the country since June. The attack occurred at Banga National High School in South Cotabato province at approximately 1 p.m. local time. Banga Mayor Albert Palencia confirmed the shooter, a Grade 9 student, used a 9mm pistol belonging to his father, a government safety officer and practical shooting enthusiast. According to Palencia, the teenager broke into a vault where the firearm was stored and brought it to school. The mayor stated the suspect carried two magazines for the weapon and reloaded during the attack. Before the shooting, the suspect warned two friends of his plan, telling them to go home because he would be "executing my plan" after lunch. Palencia said the friends did not take the warning seriously because the shooter was known as a joker. After lunch, the student opened fire on classmates in a classroom next to his own. The two students killed were both 14 years old. Eight other students were injured, with four reported in critical condition.