ANGELES CITY A Kapampangan nurse was found dead on Saturday afternoon (Sunday, Philippine time) near the Stonebridge Crossing Apartments in Cordova, Tennessee, USA by Memphis police, according to reports.
Erano Santos, 33, sustained a gunshot wound that caused his death, reports added.
Santos, a former Clinical Instructor at the Holy Angel University's College of Nursing, migrated to the US in May last year.
He was from Lourdes Sur East in this city. The victim's Facebook page also lists the Philippine International Hospital as among his previous employers.
Memphis police, in a report, said they are searching for the vehicle taken from the scene in Cordova on Saturday afternoon. Reports said that witnesses told investigators that Santos was seen fighting with an unknown suspect before he was shot and his vehicle was taken. The vehicle was identified as silver 2013 Honda Civic 4-door with TN license plate G5237P.
Christopher Pineda, a friend of the victim, said they are now in contact with his family in San Diego and the Philippines to help facilitate the transfer of his body back home."
Pineda added in a Facebook post that they are asking for donations to facilitate the transfer of Santos's remains.
The victim's former students and friends in Pampanga are calling for justice and quick resolution of the case. People interviewed by Sun.Star Pampanga described Santos as a "good teacher and friend."
Ralph Karlwin Gaspar told Sun.Star Pampanga that they were shocked by the news of the death of their former mentor, adding that posts on social networking sites were put up by friends and students of Santos to call attention to his death and mobilize calls for justice and support.
"We remember him as one of the dynamic and bubbly clinical instructors we've ever met. To his family, we will join you in prayers," Gaspar said.
The Memphis police are still investigating the murder incident for possible leads.
Chris Garcia, a friend of the victim for almost eight years, said Santos, who already lost his parents, lived with his aunt in Angeles City before moving to Ohio as a nurse and later moved into Tennessee.
Santos was a graduate of Angeles University Foundation's College of Nursing.
Nurse from Pampanga, Philippines killed in United States | Sun.Star