SERIAN – An 87-year-old man has been remanded for seven days after he allegedly shot and killed a 52-year-old woman, whom he claimed to have mistaken for an animal while hunting on his farm.
Serian District Police Chief DSP Freddy Bian confirmed the tragic incident took place around 9.00am on Wednesday at a farm located in Kampung Engkeroh Mawang, Tebekang.
According to Freddy, initial investigations revealed that the elderly suspect had been out hunting on his own farmland when he accidentally shot the woman. It is believed the victim was misidentified as a wild animal from a distance.
“The victim was hit by shotgun pellets on the right side of her face and right shoulder. She succumbed to the injuries sustained at the scene,” he said in a statement.
Police also confirmed that the suspect used his own licensed shotgun during the incident. The weapon has since been seized for forensic examination.
The victim was reportedly a local resident, and her identity has been withheld pending further investigation and notification of next-of-kin.
The suspect, who is a long-time resident of the area, has been ordered to be remanded for seven days to assist in the ongoing investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the mandatory death penalty or imprisonment for life upon conviction.
DSP Freddy urged the public, especially firearm owners, to exercise extreme caution and follow all safety procedures, especially when using weapons in populated or shared rural areas.
The tragedy has shocked the local community, with many calling for stricter oversight of firearm use, particularly among elderly license holders.
