'Thief' shot dead in cock farm

A SUSPECTED thief was found dead after he was shot by a guard inside a cock farm at Purok Paglaum, Barangay Minoyan in Murcia, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.

Police identified the fatality as Renato Italia, 33.

Last Tuesday, Italia left his house after he told his wife that he will buy ginger. However, he was found dead the following day.

Senior Inspector Hector Balbon, chief of Murcia Municipal Police Station, said Italia allegedly went to the farm, with his two friends, and attempted to steal fighting cocks but they were caught by guard Gerome Clavete, 18, who fired at them.

Italia sustained gunshot wounds while his friends fled. Clavete voluntarily surrendered to the police.

Balbon said fighting cocks were recovered from Italia's possession when he was found and identified by his wife.

Italia was identified as suspect in theft incidents in the area, Balbon added. (GYM)