Police arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy who was walking home from a predawn Christmas Mass on Saturday.

The suspect, identified as alias “Erwin,” a resident of Sampaloc, Manila, was apprehended by Quezon City Police District (QCPD) operatives following the 20 December incident.

QCPD acting director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said the victim and his friends were returning from a Simbang Gabi mass when they stopped to help the victim’s cousin, who was being harassed by a group of minors.

According to reports from the Galas Police Station, the altercation escalated around 4:30 a.m. at the corner of Nicanor Ramirez and Matimyas streets in Barangay Don Manuel.

A man on a green Honda Click motorcycle arrived at the scene and opened fire, striking the 13-year-old in the chest before fleeing.

The boy was rushed to United Doctors Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Investigators later invited the suspect to the police station for questioning. Witness accounts from minors at the scene, supported by their guardians, led to his positive identification and subsequent arrest. Police also recovered the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime.

Silvio said the suspect will face murder charges before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and assure the public that justice will be served,” Silvio said. “Our personnel acted promptly to apprehend the suspect, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our citizens.”