The grandson of Negrense sugar planter Teresita Montilla-Araneta was killed after two men onboard a motorcycle stole his cellphone and shot him in Manila, yesterday.

Killed was Manuel Zacharias Escudero, 19, of No. 2626 Bautista St., Malate, a police report said.

The victim was the son of Baba Araneta of Negros Occidental and Manolet Escudero, who is a nephew of Villa Escudero resort owner Ado Escudero.

The bullet went through the victim's shoulder and hit his chest, the police said.

Escudero was sending a text message on his Nokia 3100 cellphone in front of Mama-la Mini Mart on Pablo Ocampo Street corner Arellano Avenue in Malate, Manila around 7 a.m. when two snatchers on board a motorcycle took the phone by force, the police said.

Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., Malate police station commander, said initial investigation showed that Escudero tried to fight off the snatchers, prompting one of them to shoot him.

Escudero was taken to the St. Claire Medical Center at Dian Street in Makati City, where he was declared dead on arrival.*

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