By DayakDaily Team
JULAU, Feb 25: A dispute involving a firearm claimed the life of a 69-year-old man at a longhouse in Sungai Minus Entabai here yesterday (Feb 24).
Julau District Police chief, Deputy Superintendent Alif Haiqal Ramesh Abdullah, said the victim was shot at close range around 11am, sustaining severe injuries to his right shoulder.
According to a TVS report, the incident occurred as the victim was washing his feet after returning from an oil palm plantation.
The suspect, a 43-year-old longhouse resident, suddenly emerged from one of the rooms and fired a single shot at the victim using a 12-bore SBBL shotgun.
“The shot struck the victim’s right shoulder, causing serious injuries,” Alif said in a statement.
The shooting was witnessed by another longhouse resident who hid in fear. However, a second resident bravely intervened despite having a shotgun pointed at him, and assisted the victim to Nanga Entaih Health Clinic. The victim was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Following a report, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Julau District Police Headquarters launched an operation and arrested the suspect at 1.35pm on the same day, at the same longhouse.
“Preliminary investigations indicate the dispute arose after the victim reprimanded the suspect for playing with a firearm at dawn. The victim had reportedly threatened to report the matter to the police, prompting the suspect to hold a grudge,” Alif said.
Checks confirmed that the shotgun and ammunition were licensed under the suspect’s mother but had been taken without permission.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, and the firearm and ammunition have been seized. — DayakDaily
