Seven people have been killed in at least two shooting incidents in Lakes State this week including several children and women, according to a local officials and community leader.

On Thursday morning, at least 3 people were killed at in Rumpan-burack while traveling on the main road from Wulu to Malou Military Barracks near the state capital Rumbek.

The commissioner of Wulu County Benjamin Akol Mourwel said that that the three travelers were shot while riding a motorbike. The bodies have been taken to Rumbek Hospital before being brought to Wulu for burial. Akol said that the organized forces in Wulu County are looking for the perpetrators.

One of the victims was the elder brother of the Lakes State Minister of Gender and Social Development Ezekial Thiang Mangar. Another was identified to be a Thuiyic youth and the other victim was not identified yet.

Separately, four people including children and women have been shot dead and two others wounded in a night attack by unknown gunmen at Ameth cattle camp of Rumbek North County.

The incident occurred at the distance of 65 miles away from the state capital Rumbek. The community leader of Rumbek North County, Akim Dut said that the people killed in the cattle camp are one boy, two girls and one woman who was wounded and later died in Rumbek state hospital.

Dut said the victims who were killed including the woman are all from one family who were staying in the cattle camp. He called on the state government authorities and Cueibet county commissioner to crack down on the perpetrators as soon as possible.

The killing of the four family members has sparked a lot of fear as people are worried about a potential cycle of revenge killings. Last week it was alleged that the unknown gunmen from Rumbek North County Youth killed one person from Cueibet County.