By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO, Illinois (JGLi) – A 26-year old Filipino immigrant was suspected of shooting his girlfriend before turning his own gun to himself inside a motel chain in Oakland, California last Wednesday (Sept. 9) morning.

The gunman identified by relatives as Nino Francisco, a bachelor and caregiver, of Vallejo, California, was dead on the scene while his girlfriend identified as Abby Ismael, also a Filipino, of Las Vegas, Nevada, “remains in grave condition.”

Family relatives of Nino Francisco, however, suspect foul play.

Jeff Thomason, public information officer of the Oakland Police Department, told this reporter Friday (Sept. 11) that “on Sept. 9, 2009, at 12:10 a.m., Oakland police officers responded to Motel 6 at 8480 Edes Avenue in Oakland to investigate reports of gunshots and screams, coming from room 2511.

“Upon arrival, officers observed an apparent bullet hole in the window, and there was no answer at the door when they knocked. They attempted to use a key card to enter the room. But they found the door had been manually secured from the inside and they had to force it open.

“Once inside, they found a man and a woman lying on the floor, both of whom were suffering from gunshot wounds.”

Thomason added that “based upon evidence, it appears that the man shot the woman and then turned the gun on himself. Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. They transported the woman to Highland Hospital for treatment, where she remains in grave condition.

“The identity of both parties has yet to be confirmed, and the motive for the shooting is not known at this time.”

A cousin of Francisco, Rhoderick “Torque” Francisco earlier sent an email to GMANews TV in Quezon City in the Philippines Wednesday, saying, “Just heard the news that my cousin named Nino Francisco was shot dead in Oakland, California, together with his girlfriend four hours ago. Our family in the U.S. has not seen the body yet as he lives in Vallejo, more than an hour’s drive from Oakland. I write to you if you can help us find the truth about the shoot-out as the police in Vallejo just gave my aunt a number she can call to verify the news. Thanks for your assistance.”

The email was forwarded Friday morning by GMANews TV’s “Pinoyabroad” news section editor Romy Tangbawan to this reporter in Chicago, Illinois, “to find out about this.”

When reached for comment, Nino Francisco’s aunt, Cynthia de la Cruz, said, “Mukhang mahirap paniwalaan na nagsuicide ang aking pamankin. Siya’y marami pang pangarap sa buhay. Walang dahilan para wakasan niya ang kanyang buhay.” (It’s unthinkable that my nephew would commit suicide so soon. He had lots of dreams ahead of him. There was no reason for him to end his life that soon.)

She said her nephew, who was taking care of his lola (grandmother), had planned to join the military and to continue his schooling. She added, her nephew had never been in trouble with the law and had no known enemies.

Ms. De La Cruz added, “It’s frustrating that autopsy report on my nephew will still be due in four to six weeks.”

She also noted the conflicting reports on the shooting. When the Oakland Tribune broke the story on Sept. 9, it reported, “Other occupants (in the motel) did not report hearing any arguing from the pair’s room. A security guard and a guest did hear gunfire just before the two were found.”

The same report quoted Oakland’s Sgt. Alex Perez as saying that “the man shot the woman in the head with a pistol then shot himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:27 a.m. today. The semi-automatic pistol was registered to Francisco.”

A subsequent follow-up story of the same newspaper the following day had mentioned “screams coming from Room 2511,” quoting police reports.

Torque Francisco said, “Our family believes there is a foul play on the incident, the news that you learned about him is definitely based on the Internet news which was published. We are now hoping the girl will survive as she is the only living witness. We just like to know the truth and hope there is no cover up on the story as both victims are Filipino.”

Ms. De La Cruz said a one-day funeral service of Nino Francisco will be held Saturday (Sept. 12). Viewing is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Colonial Chapel at 1000 Redwood St., Vallejo. The remains will be cremated “probably Sunday (Sept. 12) or Monday (Sept. 13).”

The parents of Nino Francisco are still too distraught to talk to the media about the tragic death of their only child, Ms. De La Cruz said.

She said her nephew had picked up his girlfriend, Abby Ismael, also a Filipino, from Oakland International Airport hours before the shooting incident. Abby, a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, whom Ms. De La Cruz has not met, was to visit her mother, who is in the Bay Area.

Nino Francisco also planned to introduce Abby to his parents.

Nino, born in Malabon, Metro Manila in the Philippines, immigrated to the United States in 2004 after taking up undergraduate program at University of the East in Kalookan City, Metro Manila. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net) # # #