A police officer accidentally shot his brother after they grappled for a gun at past 10 a.m. yesterday in their house in barangay Calamba, Cebu City.
PO1 Lemuel Celestial, 30, a member of Lapu-Lapu City tourist police unit, confronted his younger brother, Junrey, 27, because of the latter’s alleged drug problem.
However, Junrey got mad and tried to grab Celestial’s service firearm. While they were grappling for the gun, it went off hitting Junrey in the jaw.
He is confined at Chong Hua Hospital and is in critical condition as of press time.
Celestial surrendered to responding members of the Mobile Patrol Group. He refused to be interviewed by reporters but SPO1 Ruth Violango, homicide investigator, said Celestial claimed he was only defending himself.
Junrey’s wife also supported Celestial’s claim.
Yesterday was not the first time Celestial reprimanded his brother for his drug use.
Celestial’s colleagues described him as a calm and dedicated police officer.
Celestial and Junrey will undergo paraffin tests.