Gunman almost shoots Lapu-Lapu dad inside cockpit

A city councilor in Lapu-Lapu survived an attempt on his life when the gun of a man who tried to shoot him malfunctioned in a cockpit on Black Saturday.

When the gun misfired, the suspect, who was later identified as Patrocinio Baring, 67, struck Leo Mercado with the gun. The public official was knocked unconcious.

The incident happened yesterday afternoon in the comfort room of a cockpit in barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu.

Mercado is a known cockfight enthusiast and one of those who managed the Mahayayay cockpit.

Police said the suspect followed Mercado to the comfort room and pointed a 9mm pistol at him but the gun malfunctioned when he pulled the trigger.

Baring, a resident of barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu, cocked the gun and tried to shoot Mercado again but the gun still misfired. It was then that Baring hit Mercado in the head with the gun.

Mercado’s aide ran to the toilet after noticing the commotion.

Baring tried to escape but was chased by PO3 Lydo Pinos and other policemen who happened to be in the area during the incident.

Police stopped Baring in his tracks by shooting him in the thigh and hip.

A 9mm pistol with five bullets was seized from the suspect, who was taken to the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital, police said.

The motive of the attack was not immediately known. Investigators were still waiting for the suspect and the councilor to recover.

Mercado is a former ABC President of Lapu-Lapu City and a former barangay captain of Pajo. He was elected to the city council last year.

Police said attempted murder case will be filed against Baring.