Karaoke dispute ends in gunfire; man critically injured

TAGUM CITY — A 25-year-old harvester is in critical condition after he was shot in the cheek inside a bar at Purok Bayanihan early morning on 1 December, reportedly over a dispute involving a karaoke song.

The victim, identified only as Christian, was drinking with a companion named Jecmar inside Expensive Candy Bar when the altercation erupted, according to initial police findings.

A waitress told investigators that the suspect became furious after Christian allegedly “grabbed” or queued ahead of his chosen karaoke song—triggering the heated confrontation. As the suspect was about to leave, he reportedly pulled out an unknown-caliber handgun and shot the victim point-blank in the cheek.

The suspect immediately fled in an unknown direction after the shooting.

Crime scene investigators recovered one spent .45-caliber shell casing inside the bar.

Tagum City Police Station chief, Police Lieutenant Colonel Frederick E. Deles, said the shooting may have stemmed from a sudden burst of anger over the victim’s behavior. He added that the investigation remains ongoing to identify and locate the gunman.