A quiet longhouse community in Sarawak was shaken by a fatal shooting after what police believe was a dispute between neighbours that spiralled out of control.
The incident took place in Sungai Minu Endapai Minins longhouse in Julau, where a 69-year-old man was shot at close range and later pronounced dead. Authorities say the victim had just returned from his oil palm plantation and was at the five-foot way area of the longhouse when the attack occurred.
Police were alerted around 12.20pm by medical personnel from a nearby clinic who reported that a man with a gunshot wound had succumbed to his injuries despite emergency treatment.
Shot With Shotgun After Alleged Dispute
According to Julau district police chief, investigations indicate the 43-year-old suspect, who lived in the same longhouse, allegedly ran out from a corridor and fired a shot at the victim at approximately 11am.
The victim sustained a severe gunshot wound to his right shoulder and was confirmed dead at 11.49am. His son, who was nearby at the time, rushed out after hearing the gunshot and found his father lying in a pool of blood. He immediately transported him to a clinic in a desperate attempt to save him, but doctors were unable to revive the elderly man.
Police later arrested the suspect at about 1.35pm along the longhouse corridor. A shotgun along with several live rounds and spent cartridges of various brands were seized during the operation.
Preliminary findings suggest that both men had previously argued. It is believed the victim had confronted the suspect about allegedly handling firearms within the longhouse compound and warned that he might lodge a police report. Investigators suspect this warning may have triggered dissatisfaction that eventually led to the fatal shooting.
Murder Probe Underway
The case is currently being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The victim’s body has been sent to the forensic department at Sibu Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the rural community, where longhouses are typically close-knit living environments with shared spaces. The presence of firearms in residential settings has also sparked renewed discussion online about gun safety and regulation in remote areas.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding firearm ownership and how the weapon was stored prior to the incident. For now, residents are left grappling with the aftermath of a dispute that ended in irreversible loss.