HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Investigators are looking into what caused a man to use a slingshot and target a gas station in Dededo on Wednesday night.
The incident forced an officer with the Guam Police Department to pull out his duty weapon and shoot the suspect.
The man, who has not yet been named, was pronounced dead at the Guam Regional Medical City.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave, while a GPD internal affairs investigation is conducted.
The Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigative Team, which was created to investigate the use of deadly force by officers, is conducting the criminal investigation.
The officer-involved shooting occurred around 8 p.m. at the Shell gas station along Route 1 Marine Corps Drive near Ysengsong Road.
None of the employees or customers were injured.
Quiet neighborhood
A woman who lives in the neighborhood told The Guam Daily Post she had just come from the gas station when she heard what sounded like gunshots.
“I was at the gas station to get air for my car then came home. I started cooking then heard what sounded like a gun go off at least three times. I came outside and all of a sudden saw the police lights,” the Dededo woman said. “It was scary. If I stayed there to get gas, then maybe I could’ve been involved or maybe I could’ve even saved somebody.”
Other residents said they could hear gunfire from the Dededo skate park and further down the road in Macheche.
Edith Baza, who lives in the area behind the crime scene, said her daughter told her about the police activity.
“She said she was passing by to get gas and told me that it was blocked. She said there was police,” said Baza. “But I didn’t hear anything. That’s the first time I’m hearing of something like that. This place is quiet.”
Another resident in the area, who only identified himself as Edgar, said he was sitting in his garage when shots rang out.
“I was startled,” said Edgar. “This is a pretty quiet neighborhood. I was surprised to find out that there was a shooting. It sounded like they were just firing away until there was no more bullets.”
Residents like Edgar say the area no longer feels safe.
Tragic event
At the crime scene, bloodstains could be seen in the parking lot area where the shooting occurred.
Employees at the gas station were back to work on Thursday morning.
The company recognized its team members that were present during this incident, adding that their good judgment and swift action while under the duress of this situation is commendable.
“Everyone at IP&E is saddened that this tragic event occurred at one of our Shell stations. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family of the individual involved. The safety and wellness of our team and customers is paramount to our business operations. It is hard to prepare for a situation like this but we are grateful for our team’s response to the incident, as we believe their efforts prevented further injury,” said Brian Bamba, managing director, IP&E Holdings, LLC.
The gas station was temporarily closed during the on-scene investigation by authorities.
Police investigate a slingshot threat and subsequent shooting at the Shell gas station on Marine Corps Drive near Ysengsong Road in Dededo Wednesday night. An investigation led by the Guam Office of the Attorney General has begun.
