MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Canadian man facing charges of illegal possession of firearms opened fire in a Philippine courtroom Tuesday, killing two people and wounding a prosecutor before police fatally shot him.
Officials say John H. Pope appeared in court in central Cebu city, where he resided, to face the charges, when he pulled out a gun and shot a lawyer and a neighbor who filed a case against him. He then fired at a prosecutor in the hallway of the building before police fatally wounded him.
Local media say Pope's neighbor had accused him of brandishing a weapon and threatening him and other residents in their condominium.
Pope was quoted as saying that the pistol he was carrying was for self-defense.
