By Nurhauni Lee Abdullah
SIBU: A local man was shot dead by a hunter with a custom-made shotgun last Friday after the latter mistook him for a wild boar.
The incident took place at Sungai Sebalau, Genting Mawang, Kapit at 5pm.
Kapit district police chief DSP Freddy Bian confirmed the incident and said the victim was identified as 56-year-old Sinau Bangkong.
“While sitting under a tree, the suspect noticed movements in a nearby bush. Thinking they were caused by a wild boar, he fired shots,” he said when contacted yesterday.
According to Freddy, the suspect realised his mistake when he heard someone screaming in pain.
Shocked by the incident, the suspect rushed to the victim who had a gunshot wound to the right side of his head.
The suspect then immediately sought the help of the victim’s friend to take care of the victim while he rushed to Kapit police station to report the incident.
“The police rushed to the scene with the suspect and a longhouse resident.
“When they arrived at the scene, the victim had died. His body was brought out from the forest at midnight and taken to Kapit Hospital after that,” said Freddy.
The 46-year-old suspect has been remanded for four days to assist investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 304A of the Penal Code and Section 8 (a) as well as Section 37 of the Firearms Act 1960.
