The police in Rumbek Central County in Lakes State have confirmed that a relative to a bride-to-be has been arrested after accidentally killing the bridegroom ahead of his wedding ceremony scheduled for Wednesday in Rumbek town.
The shooting incident occurred in the Mabuoi residential of Rumbek Central County on Sunday night.
The police investigator in charge of the case, Martin Machiek, told Radio Tamazuj that the suspect, Laat Madit Manguen, a policeman, shot Laat Malony accidentally and that investigations into the killing are ongoing.
“The cause of accidental killing was that the bride and groom were having an illegal appointment and wanted to be together after the bridegroom paid the bride price to the parents of the girl,” he said. “When he came at night to meet with his girlfriend, one of the girl’s parents thought that he might be a thief who wanted to steal cows and he called the policeman who immediately opened fire and shot the bridegroom dead.”
“This is what happened and now that policeman is under custody in Panda Military Barracks for investigation,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Lakes State-based civil society activist, Daniel Laat Kon, said the incident was unfortunate and that the deceased had paid the entire bride price of 30 head of cattle.
“The man had paid dowries of about 30 head of cattle to the parents of the girl. What prompted the incident was an illegal appointment made by the girl and her husband-to-be,” he explained. “When the man came at night to visit his lover, the parent called a policeman who shot him dead because they thought that he was a thief who wanted to steal cows.”
“It was not an intended killing,” he added.
Laat said the suspect surrendered himself to the police.