A MOTHER of two was shot dead by her live-in partner inside their house in Sitio Sentro, Barangay Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021.

The victim was identified as Florie Mae Cañete, 45, while the suspect was identified as Dether Callora Lerado, also 45.

Cpl. Ruskim Salado of the Balamban Police Station said Lerado, a forklift operator, admitted that he shot his partner using a .357 revolver.

Lerado told police that anger got the better of him after seeing a hickey on Cañete’s neck.

Before the incident, the victim had gone to Cebu City on July 28 to follow up on her job application abroad. When she arrived home on July 29, an argument ensued between the two because of the hickey on her neck, Salado said.

According to their 14-year old son, he heard his parents arguing around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Salado said the suspect talked to Cañete’s sister, asking her to take care of their two sons before turning the gun on himself.

The victim was declared dead on arrival at Balamban District Hospital.

The suspect was referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. He was still conscious when he was rushed to the hospital.

When a team from the Balamban Police Station arrived in the house, Salado said they found the victim’s body sprawled on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head. The suspect sat beside her with a gunshot wound to the mouth.

A parricide complaint will be filed against Lerado if he survives. (MVE)