Officials in Jonglei’s Twic Center County say a woman and her child were shot dead on Sunday evening.
The county commissioner Louis Garang said the two were shot dead by armed criminals who attacked their home in the village of Wangule on Sunday night.
Garang alleged that the criminals intended to kidnap children, but upon resistance, they shot the woman identified as Achol Atem and her son Dau Manyang.
He said the two died on the spot, but no child was kidnapped.
The commissioner noted that the gunmen escaped during an exchange of fire with neighbours defending the family.
The governor accused the criminals from neighbouring Boma state of being behind in the attack. However, Boma state authorities were not immediately available for comment.