Drug War Threatens Residents of San Pedro

Meredith Escalante

A near-fatal shooting in San Pedrito on February eleventh preceded this morning’s deadly attack at the Espat apartment in which two year old Daniel was killed.  It is firmly believed that the gunmen may have mistaken the unit numbers when they let loose a salvo of rounds into the room.  The gunfire injured thirteen-year-old Meredith Escalante who was inside preparing for dinner.  She had been shot once in the chest.  This morning, Meredith’s mother, who asked to appear off-camera, gave an update on her daughter’s recovery.  Despite reliving the harrowing ordeal in the wee early hours, Maria Escalante says she has no choice but to relocate for fear of her life.

Voice of: Maria Escalante, Mother of Shooting Victim

“She is okay now.  She is alright.  What could I say, she is okay.  She is out of danger and that’s it.”

Isani Cayetano

“You live as a tenant in an area that is considerably dangerous at this point in time, seeing as though this is the second shooting incident within a short span of time.  Do you fear for your safety?  What measures are you taking personally to either deal with the situation at hand or to move on?”

Voice of: Maria Escalante

“I’m just leaving the place because my kids are not here anymore.  I had to move them.  So I’m going to be moving next.”

Isani Cayetano

“In the wake of what you heard happen here last night, what are your thoughts?”

Voice of: Maria Escalante

“I don’t know.  I honestly, I don’t know.  I can’t say anything because I don’t know.”