Subic official dies by suicide after accidentally shooting son

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines – A high-ranking official of the local government of Subic died by suicide after accidentally shooting his son with a gun early Tuesday, September 20.

Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) director Senior Superintendent Jerry Sumbad said the victim was identified as Subic municipal administrator Ricardo “Dick” Otero, 69, and his son Richard, 38, of 1608 Rizal Avenue, East Tapinac, Olongapo City.

In a joint investigation conducted by OCPO Police Station 3 and Scene of the Crime Investigators, the incident occurred around midnight at the Oteros’ home.

The elder Otero had asked his son, who was sitting in front of a computer, to give him his caliber 45 pistol. 

Knowing that his father was allegedly experiencing depression due to severe illness, Richard refused to give the gun to his father. This resulted in a scuffle over the gun, which went off and hit Richard in the chest.

Richard’s elder brother Arnold Victor tried to help bring his wounded brother to the hospital while their father went upstairs with the gun. Moments later, two gunshots were heard by the relatives. They found the elder Otero dead inside the bathroom with two gunshot wounds to the chest.

Otero was declared dead on arrival while his son, Richard, is presently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

SOCO team recovered from the scene a caliber 45 Armscor pistol with loaded magazine and 3 spent bullet shells. – Rappler.com

The Natasha Goulbourn Foundation has a depression and suicide prevention hotline. Call are 804-4673 and 0917-558-4673. More information is available on its website. It’s also on Twitter @NGFoundationPH and Facebook.