Authorities in Eastern Equatoria state said a 14-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by another teenager this week, and the suspected shooter escaped from custody after being arrested.
The Lafon County commissioner, Orupi David Uywek, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the shooting occurred in Marguna Payam earlier this week while four boys were in the bush rearing cattle.
He said the suspect, 16-year-old Oputo Otong Muna, was armed when he accidentally shot and killed 14-year-old Isidor Arun.
“The accused was arrested and brought to Pari Likweri, where a traditional cultural body was set to address the issue. However, the boy escaped,” Uywek told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Uywek said he instructed local chiefs to hand the case over to government authorities and that security forces had been deployed to search for the suspect. “I have instructed all security agents to search for the whereabouts of the suspect so he can be brought to justice,” he said.
Despite the incident, Uywek said the overall security situation in the county remains calm as the population celebrates Christmas.
Eastern Equatoria State Police Commissioner Gen. Lazarus Wani Tranquilo confirmed the shooting and said the broader state was peaceful during the Christmas festivities.
“The eight counties are relatively calm; no significant issues have been reported,” Tranquilo said. “However, there is a case in Lafon that has not been clearly reported yet. I advised that we gather all the details; perhaps the suspect is alert and has escaped to Torit. We need his identity.”
He emphasized that security forces would not allow criminals to disrupt the peace. “Right now, the whole state is safe, and we want everyone to feel free to walk around,” he said.