Police arrested a 19-year-old man hours after a shooting in Barangay Uguis, Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte, that left a college student dead and another injured, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) said.

The suspect was arrested at about 7:12 a.m. on 28 August following a hot-pursuit operation by personnel of the Nueva Era Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Provincial Tactical Operations Center.

The shooting occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on 27 August in Sitio Tres, Barangay Uguis.

The fatality was identified as Jhay-em Abellano, 24, single, and a college student residing in the area. The other victim, a 21-year-old female college student, was not identified for security and privacy reasons as she continues to recover from her injuries.

Police said a witness saw the two victims traveling on a motorcycle toward their residence when the suspect, who was also riding a motorcycle, approached them and allegedly fired several shots.

Abellano sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, back, and both sides of his body. He was rushed to the Nueva Era Rural Health Unit but was declared dead on arrival.

The female victim sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh and an abrasion on her abdomen. She remains in stable condition and under observation, police said.

Four fired 9mm cartridge cases were recovered from the crime scene.

After the shooting, Nueva Era police secured the area and launched a dragnet and hot-pursuit operation. Investigators also reviewed available closed-circuit television footage and identified possible witnesses.

The operation led to Calube’s arrest at about 7:12 a.m. the following day. Police said the arrest was witnessed by a barangay official and documented using two alternative recording devices.

Calube was informed of his constitutional rights before being brought to the Nueva Era Municipal Police Station for documentation and processing. He was later taken to the Nueva Era Rural Health Unit for medical examination and remains in police custody.

According to the INPPO, the shooting was reportedly prompted by an old grudge. Police are preparing murder and attempted murder charges against Calube.

Authorities are continuing their investigation, including into the possible involvement of another suspect. Ilocos Norte Police Provincial director PCOL Joemar Q. Labiano said the arrest within hours of the shooting demonstrated the importance of coordination among police units, intelligence gathering and community cooperation in responding to violent incidents.