A taxi driver was shot dead Monday before dawn by still unidentified suspects in Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon City.

The fatality was identified as Teodulo Remolano Jr., 57 years old, a resident of Barangay Catmon of the same city.

Based on the account of an eyewitness, the victim was right next to her as they were talking when he was shot. She said she thought a firecracker had gone off until she saw Remolano already on the ground.

She counted two attackers who just walked away from the crime scene. She told the police that she did not see their faces.

The police are looking at various leads, including the fight the victim had with a neighbor last week. The father of the neighbor allegedly had a heart attack and died from the stress due to the altercation.

However, Remolano and the neighbor who beat him up patched things up before barangay officials, reports said.