By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
After five days of fighting for her life, 15-year-old Lea succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, August 12, following a tragic shooting inside a public school classroom in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, police confirmed on Wednesday.
Lea was shot in the head on August 7 by her ex-boyfriend, identified only as “Leo,” an 18-year-old student who then turned the gun on himself in front of stunned classmates.
The incident unfolded in Barangay Rizal, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, during school hours.
Both teens were rushed to a private hospital in Cabanatuan City and later transferred for further treatment.
Leo, however, was taken home by his family the following day after they reportedly lost hope in his recovery. He died around 3:30 p.m. on August 8, according to Police Capt. Noime Gogotano, spokesperson for the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office.
Investigators believe jealousy was the motive behind the shooting.
Lea and Leo had previously been in a relationship, but frequent quarrels led school authorities to intervene and separate them.
After their breakup, Leo allegedly attempted to reconcile, but Lea refused to speak with him.
Police are still tracing the origin of the .22-caliber handgun used in the attack, which bore no serial number.
The tragedy has reignited calls for tighter campus security and mental health support for students facing emotional distress.
