Three people were killed at a shop on Sunday night in Maridi central town by an unknown gunman, according to a local source.

The incident occurred at about 8:30 in the evening when an unknown gunman broke into the shop and killed three people who were described as Eritreans or 'Habash', the local word normally used to describe Ethiopians or Eritreans.

Security personnel immediately rushed to the scene and found bodies of the foreigners but the attackers were not to be found. Their dead bodies were taken to the police and then taken to Maridi Civil Hospital this morning to be taken to Juba and after that they will be taken to their country.

This morning all shops of the Somalis, Eritreans and Ethiopians remained closed in Maridi.

Commissioner of Maridi County Wilson Thomas Yanga last week said the security situation was getting better and announced that works, schools and markets will resume this but with yesterday’s incident renewed fears among citizens, discouraging them from going to market or sending children to school.

Radio Tamazuj was not immediately able to reach the chairperson of the Eritrean community for comment.