A Mother’s Heartbreak After Nueva Ecija School Shooting
Every morning, 15-year-old Zhane greeted her mother with the loving words, “Good morning, Mama. I love you.” These heartfelt phrases, repeated daily, are now painfully silent after the tragic Nueva Ecija school shooting that took her life.
Elvie Entinado, Zhane’s mother, shared her grief with local sources, her voice trembling, “That child of mine was so affectionate.” The warmth and affection that once filled their home have been replaced by an unbearable emptiness.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Zhane passed away around 6 p.m. last Tuesday at Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City. She suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, inflicted by a .22-caliber snub-nose revolver.
Authorities reported that the weapon was allegedly fired by her former boyfriend, 19-year-old Menard Canoza. The bullet struck the back right side of Zhane’s head, causing severe brain hemorrhaging. After shooting Zhane inside a classroom at Santa Rosa Integrated School in Barangay Rizal on August 7, Canoza turned the gun on himself and died at the scene.
Echoes of a Lost Voice
Since that day, silence has engulfed the spaces where Zhane’s voice once filled the air. Elvie reminisced, “Whenever she would leave the house, she would say, ‘Mama, I’m going now. I love you, Mama.’ When coming home, she would say, ‘Mama, I’m on my way home.’ I wish I could hear those words again.”
Zhane was the youngest of three siblings, described by teachers as “a sweet and diligent student, always eager to learn.” She had previously attended Santa Rosa National High School, where she reportedly met Canoza. For reasons her mother chose not to disclose, Zhane transferred to Santa Rosa Integrated School this school year.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
Local officials declared the case closed following Canoza’s death. However, investigations continue into how he acquired the unregistered firearm, which lacked a serial number. Community members expressed concern over the accessibility of such weapons and the safety of students in schools.
Elvie now faces a future shadowed by loss, unable to prepare for her daughter’s dreams and aspirations. Her grief echoes a deeper call for attention to youth safety and gun control in school environments.
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