Gunman Killed Himself After the Attack
A lone gunman launched a deadly attack on the gaming area at Resorts World Manila, killing 38 people and wounding 70 civilians.
The attacker stormed the building, opened fired and torched game tables, sparking panic inside the casino. Some people were injured due to the stampede as people ran for safety. All of the victims died of suffocation in the smoke. Of those killed, 22 were resort guests and 13 were staff.
Thick smoke from fires delayed the search and rescue operation. But when police took control of the entertainment and hotel complex in the country’s capital, dead bodies, mostly women were found inside the bathrooms.
After the assault, the suspect killed himself by self-inflicted wounds.
Resorts World Manila (RWM) features multiple hotels and bars, as well as a shopping centre and casino.
The Suspect Acted Alone
The Philippine Police said the suspect acted alone and entered the building via the parking lot. After opening fire and torching the casino, he ransacked rooms and stole gaming chips.
Philippines National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa said, they recovered chips totalling 113 million pesos from the suspect’s backpack.
According to media report, the suspect set himself on fire and shot himself on the fifth floor of the Resort World Hotel. The gunman was found dead around 7 a.m. local time.
Many described the gunman as white, tall and probably a foreigner.
Not Terrorism Related
The incident took place when the country is in the midst of a crisis in the southern island in Mindanao. Clashes between government forces and ISIS linked Maute group are making life harder for the residents in the southern Philippines. However, the Police ruled out terrorism as a motive for the attack.
Police Chief Dela Rosa said, “We cannot say this is an act of terror… he [the gunman] did not hurt anyone. If you are a terrorist you will sow terror.”
