A 19-year-old man shot and killed his father following a dispute over livestock in Hiyala village of Torit County in Eastern Equatoria state, local officials said Tuesday.
The victim, identified as 40-year-old Juma Oker, had sent his son to tend the family’s goats, but the teenager returned home leaving the animals unattended, according to community leaders. When confronted, an argument ensued and the father punished his son, they said.
The teenager later retrieved a gun he had hidden at a neighbor’s house and shot his father before fleeing, local authorities said.
Hiyala Paramount Chief Galileo Ohide told Radio Tamazuj that the suspect had not been handed over to authorities and was believed to still be in the village, despite claims by the deceased’s family that he was in hiding.
“We are demanding that the family bring the boy forward to face the law,” Ohide said. “The community cannot tolerate such violence, and the rampant possession of firearms poses a serious threat to our safety and development.”
Local leaders called for stronger law enforcement and tighter controls on illegal firearms to prevent further violence.
Lotunyeng Alphonse, civil society chairperson for Eastern Equatoria, said underlying issues such as youth trauma, drug abuse and mental health challenges also needed to be addressed.
“It is clear that the community must take a proactive stance against these issues to prevent future tragedies,” he said. “The time for action is now.”