Truck driver gunned down outside church in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

Content warning: This article contains details of a violent incident that may be disturbing to some readers.

A 42-year-old truck driver was shot and killed by unidentified assailants in front of the San Antonio Evangelical Holiness Church in Brgy. 8, San Antonio, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte on Saturday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Erickson Agmata, a resident of the same barangay, was conversing with a local resident when the attack occurred at approximately 5:10 p.m.

Initial police investigation revealed that two unidentified men riding a black-and-white motorcycle with no license plate approached the victim. The back rider, described as wearing a black jacket, polka-dot shorts, and a helmet, suddenly disembarked and shot Agmata twice in the head at close range. The gunmen then fled southbound from the scene.

The victim was immediately rushed to Dingras District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Responding personnel from the Sarrat Municipal Police Station, together with the Ilocos Norte Forensic Unit (SOCO), processed the crime scene and recovered two fired cartridge cases believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol.

Authorities are currently conducting a follow-up investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The motive behind the shooting has yet to be determined.