Gunman kills three, injures two others in Jonglei
December 11, 2014 (BOR/JUBA) – Three people were killed and two others injured when a gunman opened fire at a market in South Sudan’s Jonglei state capital, Bor on Wednesday.
Jonglei state police commissioner, Brig. Gen. Thukul Ayom was speechless when approached by the Ugandan community members.
The Ugandan community advisor, Godfrey Juuko said a complaint letter has been formally filed to state authorities concerning their protection.
“We want to meet the governor of Jonglei state today[Thursday]. What we need is security, what we need is peace because we are one. What we need is security for our people”, said Juuko.
“The suspect handed himself over to the police after shooting people in the market,” an officer told Sudan Tribune Thursday.
The officer, who preferred anonymity, said investigations were established into the motive behind the incident.
“The suspect is said to have a history of mental illness,” he added.
Several leaders condemned the incident, calling for tough measures in the offender.
“I strongly condemn this barbaric action and I think the judiciary should speed up its work and give a possible harshest sentence to send a message to the people,” said Philip Thon Nyok, a lawmaker representing Bor county in Jonglei legislative assembly.
He dismissed as “nonsense” claims that the killer was mentally unstable.
“How can he serve in the police services if he is not of a sound mind? That is the question everyone is asking?” asked Nyok.
Foreign businessmen and women protested on streets of Bor on Thursday and closed their shops in show of solidarity with the victims.
The shooting sent shock waves across Bor, a town that witnessed fierce battles between government and rebel forces in December 2013 and early this year. Civilians, however, are slowly returning to their homes after months of political instability.
Nhial Majak Nhial, the mayor of Bor town, described the incident as an isolated one, pledging government’s commitment to protect all civilians.
“As government, we don’t segregate our business community [into foreign or South Sudanese nationals], this was an isolated incident”, Nhial told protestors on Thursday.
“Authorities will do everything to ensure this does not occur again”, he stressed.
Bor county commissioner, Mamer Ruk sent condolences to the bereaved families.
“My condolence to the families of the deceased and the Uganda community in Bor. I want to assure you that what happened was not intended by the Bor community at large,” said Ruk
(ST)