1 week Ago By Dario V. Gil
A 64-YEAR-OLD man was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed his 38-year-old live-in partner and her 14-year-old stepdaughter in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Valladolid in Carcar City, southern Cebu around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec.
11, 2024. The victims were identified as Jennive Lapiña Abella and her daughter, Valerie, a Grade 8 honor student. The suspect, Jethro Lapiña, a real estate agent, was arrested during a hot pursuit operation led by Lt.
Col. Rolando Barraquio, chief of the Carcar City Police Station. The victims died at the scene after sustaining fatal gunshot wounds to the head.
Police recovered three live bullets and two spent .45-caliber pistol cartridges from the crime scene. A male neighbor claimed to have heard two gunshots after Lapiña and Abella argued at the victims’ home.
Moments later, the neighbor saw the suspect leaving the house and the victims lying unconscious. He then contacted the Carcar City Police Station. The victims were already dead when responding police officers arrived.
According to the victim’s sister, Janice, the relationship between Abella and the suspect began in May 2024. Violent, jealous According to Janice, the suspect was violent and jealous, frequently threatening Abella with a gun when he was feeling jealous. She said that just recently, Jennive had contacted her mother for help when the suspect became violent.
The suspect may have been more agitated on the day of the incident because he was reportedly drunk and had just returned from a court hearing regarding a land dispute. Janice described her sister as a good person and her niece as a bright and well-behaved student who was supposed to graduate with honors on Thursday, Dec.12.
The suspect is currently detained at the Carcar City Police Station. He will face murder charges. / DVG.
