At least 37 dead in Resorts World Manila attack

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At least 37 dead in Resorts World Manila attack

Rappler.com

(3rd UPDATE) Malacañang describes the gunman, who killed himself, as an 'emotionally disturbed individual'

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – At least 37 people were killed when a “lone gunman” fired gunshots and set ablaze gaming tables at the casino floor of the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Friday, June 2.

Director Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Police Regional Office (NCRPO) chief, said in a Palace news briefing that a total of 37 people died in the incident, including the gunman, who killed himself. The others died because of suffocation, he said.

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella described the gunman as an “emotionally disturbed individual.”

Abella said the other deaths were “due to suffocation at the 2nd floor gaming area, which had been set on fire by the perpetrator who eventually committed suicide on the 5th floor of the Maxims Hotel, where he set himself on fire and then shot himself.”

Albayalde said the gunman shot himself in the head. Thick smoke from the burning carpet and other highly-combustible materials in the gaming area suffocated others in the area, he added.

Police said that so far, none of the deaths or injuries were due to the shooting. A security guard sustained a gunshot wound after he accidentally shot himself during the incident, they said.

Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen Reilly said, however, that the security guard sustained the gunshot wound when he exchanged gunfire with the gunman.

He said the guard shot the gunman, which “significantly slowed down the assailant” and forced him to retreat to a hotel room.

Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario, Southern Police District chief, confirmed Reilly’s statement in a media interview outside the hotel late Friday afternoon.

Apolinario said the gunman was shot in the thigh.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said in an earlier interview that 54 people were injured in the incident, 18 requiring medical attention.

Gunshots were heard and a fire broke at Resorts World Manila past midnight Friday. (READ: TIMELINE: Resorts World Manila attack)

The PNP downplayed the claim that terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) was responsible for the attack. Dela Rosa said they were looking at robbery as a motive instead. – Rappler.com

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