The killer in the family photo: Gunman snapped taking aim at photographer who is shot dead seconds later



This is the chilling moment a politician inadvertently photographs his killer in the background of a family snapshot – a split-second before he is gunned down.

Reynaldo Dagsa, a councillor in Manila in the Philippines, was killed in front of his family moments after he pressed the shutter while taking the New Year’s Day portrait.

As his daughter, wife and mother-in-law stand smiling outside their home, the killer walks up behind the group and takes aim.

Snapped: The gunman (left) and his accomplice (right) are captured on the family photo taken by the murdered victim

The left-hand portion of the photograph, seen here, shows how the killer came from behind a parked car to take aim at the politician

Two shots rang out and Mr Dagsa was hit on his right forearm and in the chest.

Although he was rushed to a nearby hospital in Manila, he was pronounced dead on arrival. The gunman was soon identified as Michael Gonzales, also known by the underworld name of Fubo of Fish Pond Area 1. He was arrested soon afterwards when the district councillor's family handed the camera to police.

His wife, daughter and another female relative, had been posing for him when he was murdered.

Police chief Jude Santos said: 'While he was taking the picture of his family on New Year's Day, the killer appeared and he inadvertently took the picture of the killer – with the gun aimed at him.'

Not only that, Mr Dagsa had also photographed his killer's accomplice, who can be seen lurking in the background of the picture, said Mr Santos.

The search is now on for the gunman's accomplice, who is standing to the right of the photo as he watches Gonzales taking aim, the muzzle of his pistol highlighted by the camera flash.

Police told The Inquirer newspaper of Manila that the second lookout has been identified as Rommel Oliva, while there was a third man identified as Francis Bumjal, although he is not in the picture.

Mourned: Relatives reach out to touch the portrait of the murdered man which rests on his coffin during his wake in Manila

The killer struck as the politician's family posed for him outside a restaurant in a Manila suburb

Police chief Santos said the main suspect was a car thief who was out on bail and is believed to have sought revenge against Dagsa for ordering his arrest last year.

The politician was active in law-enforcement activities in his district.

The gun rules in most Philippines cities and not a day goes by without someone being shot dead.

Huge numbers of cheap firearms are easily available on the legal and black markets.

Hired assassins are also on the loose, usually riding as pillion riders on motor bikes, their faces covered by visors.

They pull alongside a victim's car, shoot him – and then ride off into the thick traffic.