A tragic incident occurred in Torit County’s Oronyo Village in Eastern Equatoria State when John Ingok, 30, was shot and bled to death on Wednesday.
Sources said the deceased shot himself in the right arm, and the bullet penetrated his abdomen, resulting in severe internal bleeding. Despite being rushed to a nearby health facility for emergency treatment, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
The underlying reasons for Ingok’s suicide are unclear, and local authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Grace Tain Abraham, a nurse who was present at the Oronyo Primary Health Care Unit when Ingok was brought in, revealed that he appeared to be intoxicated, suggesting that alcohol and possibly hidden trauma could have influenced his actions.
“We were all taken aback. He seemed overwhelmed, and it raises concerns about the issues some individuals face silently,” she said.
Community leaders are deeply concerned about the alarming rise in suicide rates across Eastern Equatoria State, and are advocating for more robust awareness and support initiatives aimed at youth.
Kanuto Atari Inyasio, the Boma Chief of Oronyo, expressed shock at the incident, stating that the deceased was not involved in any known conflicts or disputes.
“This incident has taken us all by surprise,” he noted, underscoring the deep sense of loss felt by the community.
Meanwhile, Oriaja James, a youth leader, condemned the rising tide of suicides in the state and called for urgent action.
“This is a heartbreaking trend that we cannot ignore,” he stated.
Oriaja urged young people to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts instead of resorting to violence or self-harm. He emphasized the necessity for community awareness campaigns to enlighten youth about the availability of solutions to their problems, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles.