Arnaiz “possibly” shot while lying down: PNP Crime Lab

September 5, 2017

The Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory said Tuesday Carl Angelo Arnaiz, the 19-year-old, who allegedly robbed a taxi driver, was "possibly" shot while lying down.

"The position of the victim could be in standing position. However, I can also consider that the position of the victim is in ...lying position in which the back is on the ground and the face upwards", said Chief Inspector Jocelyn Cruz of the PNP Crime Laboratory in the Senate committee hearing.

Arnaiz was shot by two police officers in Caloocan City after allegedly engaging the cops in a gunfight  on August 18.

Cruz said Arnaiz had five gunshot wounds in the right part of the chest, lower part of the chest, middle of the chest, left part of the chest and abdominal region.

"Almost  all of the gunshot wounds were going upwards which would indicate that possibly the assailant would be in standing position and the victim or Carl is in a lower position compared to the assailant", she said.

Cruz said Arnaiz may have had difficulty in fighting back based on his gunshot wounds and injuries.

"Based on my professional opinion...the victim is quite tall there is a possibility to fight back but however there were multiple injuries sustained by the victim so he had a difficulty in fighting back", she said.

Arnaiz sustained abrasions in the upper eyelid. There were multiple abrasions noted on the right side of the chest and  multiple abrasions noted at the lower back, she said.

Cruz said there was a light contusion  on the wrist of Arnaiz which maybe caused by a handcuff.

The Philippine Attorney's Office initially said according to their autopsy,  Arnaiz was shot two to three times while kneeling down and two times while lying down. They said Arnaiz was handcuffed and beaten up. Alanna Ambi/DMS