After receiving information from an eyewitness, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Tuesday that they now have a strong lead on the identity of the person who fired the gun that killed 7-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella in Caloocan City on New Year’s Day.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that the eyewitness identified the owner of the .45-gun that killed Ella.

De Lima added that the shooter was “part of a group” but refused to give further details regarding the shooter. She said that they will give details after the bureau finishes its investigation.

The Justice secretary said that a “hot pursuit” is no longer applicable against the suspect, instead preliminary investigation should be done and filing of charges in court should follow so that a warrant of arrest can be issued.

The Investigation bureau autopsied Ella’s body on Tuesday.

De Lima and the bureau said that they expect to arrest the suspect before the end of the week.

Meanwhile, Mayor Enrico Echiverri of Caloocan already offered a P200,000 reward to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the suspect as he also ordered the local policemen to step up their investigation.

A voluntary donation campaign was initiated by the schoolmates and teachers for Stephanie, a consistent topnotcher in school.

Police said that some 40 victims of stray bullets in the holiday celebrations were identified nationwide, while in Caloocan alone, it has been reported that there were at least five incidents of indiscriminate firing.