Typically when a police officer is shot, no matter who that officer is – the fraternity of lawmen and women kick in and they work doubly hard to find, arrest and charge who did it. And that’s probably why the CIB office is under pressure tonight because they have the man who shot one of their own, but they are having a tough time charging him – because the shooting may have been justified.
It happened last night after 8 in front of Friendship Restaurant on the Northern Highway. Police Constable Fernando Franzua and his common law wife, who is a police corporal, were both off duty and in civilian clothing. They were leaving the restaurant when they saw that their car’s window had been smashed in the parking area. Franzua asked security guard Moises Lobo who was stationed nearby if he saw who did it. Lobos said he didn’t and that’s when Franzua reportedly flew into a rage. Police report that there was an altercation, and Franzua went to his car got out his service revolver and fired a shot in the air. Lobos took out his weapon a 22 revolver and fired back – but not in the air, he shot Franzua in his shoulder.
Tonight Franzua is in the hospital with a non life-threatening injury and security guard Lobos is being questioned by police. Today Police Press Officer Clemente Palacio would not discuss the specifics of the case.
Clemente Palacio, Police Press Officer
“Well based upon the reports that I have been receiving, he had been having dinner at the restaurant and upon exiting, some altercation took place between them. I am not certain what led to it and of course the details will be clearly fleshed out during the course of time. I care only to comment about the injury received by PC Franzua and he was shot in the shoulder and he was subsequently admitted to the KHMH and that is as far as I can go in regards the shooting.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Anyone detained?
Clemente Palacio,
“The security guard has been detained by police and we understand shortly that upon his release from the KHMH, a statement will be taken.”
Up to news time no charges had been levied against lobos but he is detained. It is not known if any charges will be levied against constable Franzua.
