An errand trip ended tragically when a retired police officer’s teenage son accidentally shot and killed himself inside a car.
The 14-year-old boy is said to have mishandled his father’s shotgun which went off, wounding him in the abdomen.
The accident happened on Wednesday morning at kaShoba under Mpolonjeni Inkhundla in the Lubombo region and was confirmed by Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni.
She said the firearm that claimed the minor’s life was lawful.
According to reports, the teenager, his father and another sibling had gone to a business centre at kaShoba where his father briefly left him and the other child inside the car.
It was said that while the 61-year-old father was away, the teenager got his hands on the gun, which had been left by his father in the car and he accidentally discharged it, shooting himself once in the abdomen.
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The minor was reportedly immediately rushed him to Good Shepherd Hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life. Unfortunately, he was certified dead upon arrival.
The tragic incident left the KaShoba community in shock and mourning with residents expressing sadness over the loss of a young life.
This is the second fatal accidental shooting to be reported to the police in a space of six months.
In July last year, a 47-year-old mechanic from Mliba reportedly accidentally shot himself while hunting guinea fowls.
The incident occurred near Khuphuka Rest Camp as the hunting party followed the birds.
The man reportedly slipped and fell into a donga while carrying a loaded 12-bore shotgun.
In an attempt to regain balance, the firearm accidentally discharged after the trigger was caught on tree branches, shooting him in the chest.
He later died while being transported to Dvokolwako Health Centre.
