Authorities are looking into the motive and possible influences behind the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, including the online activities of the Grade 9 student who killed a fellow student before taking his own life.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said investigators are examining the suspect’s use of Roblox, an online gaming platform.
Remulla, however, clarified that authorities have not concluded that Roblox itself caused the shooting.
The suspect’s gadgets are yet to undergo forensic examination to determine his online activities and whether he had been communicating with individuals or groups that may have influenced his actions.
Remulla said Roblox itself is not considered dangerous, but investigators are looking into chat groups within the platform where radicalization or strong influence on young users may potentially take place.
The shooting happened Tuesday morning when a Grade 9 student opened fire inside the Junior High School campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
Two people died in the incident, including a Grade 10 student and the shooter himself.
Investigators are also looking into how the firearms were brought inside the school.
According to Remulla, the suspect arrived at the campus in his father’s vehicle and bypassed the security inspection at the school’s pedestrian entrance.
The shooter’s father, a Customs Police official assigned to the Zamboanga Port, has since been relieved from his post following the deadly incident.