36 Killed After Hotel Casino Shooting In Manila, Gunman Dead
At least 36 bodies were found at the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex that was stormed by a gunman, local media reported.
ANC News channel, quoting the Bureau of Fire Protection, said most of those killed died of suffocation. On Thursday night, a gunman burst into the Manila entertainment complex, firing gunshots and setting a casino ablaze, before taking his own life.
Police said earlier the gunman’s motive was likely robbery and the incident was not terror-related.
“We cannot attribute this to terrorism,” National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa, told local media.
Mr dela Rosa said the “foreign looking, Caucasian gunman” burst into the casino, fired shots and set gaming tables alight, sowing panic in a country on high alert after martial law was declared in the south. Mr dela Rosa said the “foreign looking, Caucasian gunman” burst into the casino, fired shots and set gaming tables alight, sowing panic in a country on high alert after martial law was declared in the south. Smoke was seen billowing from the upper story of the complex’s hotel wing hours after the initial assault as Police worked to clear the resort room by room. Metropolitan Manila Police Chief Oscar Albayalde says the suspect was found dead around dawn with his rifle on the fifth floor of the Resorts World Manila complex. The suspect reportedly took 113 million pesos worth of gambling chips, which were found in a bag he was carrying.
Mr Abayalde said there was no indication of terrorism, and that authorities believe the suspect either lost in the casino and wanted to get his money back, or went “totally nuts”.
Officials said at least 54 people were hurt, some seriously, as they rushed to escape what at first had been feared as a militant attack.