A 23-year-old man shot himself dead after he accidentally killed his uncle in Imurok Payam, Torit County in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State on Sunday.
According to police authorities in Torit, John Komando killed himself after realizing that he had shot his uncle identified as 50-year-old Michael Lokong while intending to shoot at local youth known as Monyomiji who had come to demand payment of fines.
Komando had failed to attend communal work, which is compulsory in the Otuho culture, and whoever contravenes pays a fine.
Maj. Justine Kleopus Takuru, Eastern Equatoria state police spokesperson told Radio Tamazuj that the youth known as Monyomiji came to collect fines from Komando when he opened fire at them accidentally killing his uncle.
"When he saw these people coming (Monyomiji) he entered inside the house and picked the gun. He asked what they came to do and they told him that they are Monyomiji and we are here to collect your fines for not attending a communal activity," he explained. "So he prepared to fire and these people ran away, but he shot two bullets and later realized he had shot his uncle. He then shot himself. Both were confirmed dead."
A member of parliament representing constituency number 2 Torit southwest at Eastern Equatoria state assembly Dominic Otwari Theodore blamed the rampant alcohol consumption in the area for the incident.
“I think it is just the influence of alcohol, too much consumption of alcohol can cause such bad reasoning. Of course, to stop it, people have to limit drinking and also people to respect the opinion of others," he said.
Otwari urged the community members to reduce alcohol consumption to avoid such 'unfortunate' incidents and crimes.