A 30-year-old street food vendor died after he was allegedly shot twice by a still unidentified assailant along a busy street in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday evening, September 21,2023. | Marigondon Police Station Photo via Emmariel Ares
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Street food vendor Clifford John Cavan Lumba was supposed to celebrate his 31st birthday today, September 22,2023.
But he was killed by a still unidentified gunman, Thursday night, or just a few hours before he turns a year older.
Worst, Lumba was killed in front of his mother as he was attending to their sidewalk stall in a busy street in Barangay Basak Iba at around 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Police Captain Abraham Igot, chief of Marigondon Police Station, said they are looking at personnel grudge as the possible motive in Lumba’s murder.
Igot told CDN Digital in a phone interview that they continue to investigate Lumba’s killing.
According to accounts from witnesses, the suspect was wearing a black jacket and helmet.
The suspect reportedly approached Lumba and his mother, who were tending to their store. He brought out a .45 caliber pistol and shot Lumba once.
According to Igot, Lumba managed to run away a few meters from their stall, but the suspect chased him and fired another shot which caused his death.
He said that the suspect casually walked to a waiting motorcycle which served as his get away vehicle when he saw that Lumba no longer moved.
Lumba, Igot said, sustained gunshot wounds on his neck and arm.
Responding police officers found one empty shell near his body.
Igot said that while Lumba’s mother was unharmed, she remains in a state of shock because of what she witnessed.
Lumba’s mother asked for enough time to process her son’s death before she will talk to the police. But she made a promise to cooperate in their ongoing investigation.
Igot said that they are now looking at personal grudge as the possible motive in Lumba’s death after they receive information about his earlier fight with another individual.
He said that Lumba has a “bad reputation” in their neighborhood and some of his neighbors have raised concerns on his alleged involvement in illegal activities and for stealing. But Igot said that they are yet to verify all of these information.
At the same time, they are also checking closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from nearby establishments hoping to have a closer look at the gunman.
Igot said that Lumba’s wake is now being held at their home in Barangay Basak. / dcb
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