SAN PEDRO–Rolando Espat, Jr., 22, a fisherman of San Pedrito, San Pedro, is dead after a gunman shot him several times in the head and chest at about 12:30 Saturday morning.

Espat was found bleeding from his injuries about fifty feet from his home. Neighbors and his family rushed him to the San Pedro Polyclinic, but he died shortly after.

When police went to the San Pedro Polyclinic, they saw Espat with gunshot wounds in the chest, left cheek, right upper thigh, and head.

Police said that as Espat neared his home in San Pedrito, a gunman came up to him and shot him several times, then ran into the surrounding area.

Police found a 9mm shell at the scene. They have since detained a resident of the San Juan area of San Pedro.

Espat’s body was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Morgue, where it awaits a post-mortem to certify the cause of death.

In November, 2011, Rolando Espat, Jr., was one of four men who were detained and questioned in connection with the disappearance of Ervin Pecan McCauley, 22, also of San Pedro.
According to police, McCauley went fishing in a boat with Espat and a few others to Northern San Pedro, and did not return.

Police say, however, that they believe that Espat’s death is due to the ongoing drug war in San Pedro. They report today, also, that they have arrested and charged a 27-year-old fisherman of the San Pedrito area for the crime of murder. He is expected to be taken to court shortly.