Filipino lawyer shot in US possibly a case of mistaken identity - Philadelphia police
Authorities of the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit have said that the slaying of Filipino lawyer, John Albert Laylo, was a case of mistaken identity.
Laylo and his mother, Leah, were riding a black Nissan Uber in Philadelphia when unnamed assailants shot at their vehicle. The attack left Laylo’s mother wounded and the lawyer shot in the head and put in a coma. He died shortly after in the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
The two were on the way to their flight going to Chicago to continue their United States vacation.
Police said that the shooters were riding a Black Cadillac and were closely following a different black Nissan. When they reached the intersection of 38th & Spruce, they then shot multiple rounds at Laylo’s Uber.
Authorities were initially looking into road rage as the possible motive of the crime.
In a Tweet, Philippine Consul General in New York Elmer Cato confirmed the news.
The fatal shooting of Filipino lawyer John Albert Laylo could be a case of mistaken identity, according to police sources who say gunman appear to have fired at the wrong vehicle that was similar to what he was chasing. @teddyboylocsin @PHinNewYork @susanople @slyarriola @DFAPHL
— Elmer G Cato (@elmer_cato) June 20, 2022
Cato added that they are in direct contact with investigators on the case. They will also be meeting with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and the local police commissioner regarding the case.
"We do hope that authorities in Philadelphia will do everything they can to bring whoever’s responsible to justice," Cato said to CBS Philadelphia.
"We’ve never had any Filipino who fell victim to all the senseless violence, gun violence taking place around us. So we were really disturbed by what happened,” he added.
Mayor Kenney also condemned the “senseless” violence toward the government lawyer.
"This is another horrific example of the tragic impact of the prevalence of guns in our city: whether it's a visitor or a native Philadelphian affected, there are too many guns on our streets, with devastating consequences," Kenney wrote.
I’m appalled to learn of this heinous and senseless crime that has completely devastated an entire family. Mr. Laylo's loved ones are in my prayers. https://t.co/CEgkv279um
— Jim #VaxUpPhilly Kenney (@PhillyMayor) June 20, 2022