Seven injured following discharge of firearm during Suhum chief’s durbar

Seven persons have sustained wounds after an alleged accidental firing of gun at a durbar to honour newly installed Akyempemhene, Nana Amoako Darko, at Suhum in the Eastern Region on Saturday, November 6.

Information by the Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, says Sergeant Welbeck Agyina of Station CID Osu, who happens to be the cousin of the newly installed Akyempemhene allegedly fired a pump action gun in the midst of the celebrants.

The celebrants were waiting at the Suhum main lorry park for the newly installed sub-chief who had already sworn his oath of allegiance to the Suhum Chief, Osabarima Ayeh Kofi.

The seven victims between the ages of 23 and 50 years suffered various degrees of injury and were rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital for medical care.

Two of the victims, who are females, have been discharged and two other victims, all male, have been transferred to the Koforidua Central Hospital for further care.

The rest of the three are still on admission at the Suhum Government Hospital.

The suspect, Welbeck Agyina, who suffered bruises in the right palm, was quickly disarmed and handed over to the police.

An empty 70mm BB catridge purported to have been discharged by the suspect was retrieved at the scene.

The suspect has been detained to assist in further investigation.

The police say through its intelligence a locally manufactured gun was used in committing the crime.

The police will charge the suspect with unlawful discharge of firearm and causing harm.

The police have had concerns on the indiscriminate and unlawful use of pump guns and musket
at traditional durbars.

But it is unclear how the laws would deal with one of its own who has allegedly committed the offence.

The ceremony, however, continued to a successful end.

source: 3news