Across the U.S., everyone celebrated Father’s Day and Juneteenth everywhere. Adoring fathers received gifts from loved ones while Black America celebrated the emancipation of their enslaved ancestors. While several celebrations went on throughout cities, violence took root in others.
On Sunday, Philadelphia endured yet another violent crime that shook the city. For several months, has come under siege by cruel acts of crime, especially pertaining to gun violence. The most recent case involved Filipino lawyer John Albert Laylo, who was shot in Philadelphia while traveling back home with his mother. Unfortunately, not everyone had a good holiday. The Filipino lawyer’s life was cut short.
A Filipino Lawyer Ends Up Murdered In Philadelphia
Tragedy struck this holiday weekend for a mother and her son. According to Philippine Consul General Elmer Cato, Filipino lawyer John Albert Laylo and his mother, Leah Bustamante visited his cousin in Philadelphia. The two had been in the city since June 9. On the way back to the Philadelphia International Airport, nearly five minutes after leaving Laylo’s cousin’s apartment, the shooting started. At the time, the mother and son traveled to the airport in an Uber car.
Police reported that a gunman in a black vehicle approached the vehicle from behind and started shooting. He fired additional shots near the driver’s side of the car. Furthermore, authorities reported that the incident happened at 4 am on Saturday near 38th and Spruce Streets.
Moreover, Laylo received a shot wound to the head while his mother and the driver only sustained minor wounds. Unfortunately, Laylo died from his injuries this past Sunday. At the time, he’d only been 35-years-old. Unfortunately, investigators haven’t found a motive behind why the gunman targeted the family and Uber driver. Though, they’re working hard to find potential suspects behind the lawyer’s death.
Laylo’s Mother Wants The Gunman Brought To Justice
On Sunday, lawyer John Albert Laylo’s mother took to Facebook to write a tribute to her son. The devastated woman talked about her and son’s plans to travel together. In addition, she mentioned that Laylo had big career plans for himself.
At the time, he worked in Manila as a legislative staffer for opposition Senator Leila de Lima from 2016 to 2018 before leaving to take up graduate studies. “He was so young and full of dreams,” de Lima had said.
Others have reached out to Laylo’s mother, including Philippine Consul General Eler Cato, who promised to bring her son’s killer to justice. Additionally, a spokesperson for Uber released a statement, giving their condolences to Laylo’s family. Hopefully, the gunman will receive swift justice.
Unfortunately, Laylo’s mother returns to the Philippines without her beloved son.