Three killed in Western Equatoria state shootings

June 9, 2015 (JUBA) – At least three people were shot dead in a random shooting that occured Tuesday in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state town of Maridi town, officials said.

The incident, which occured despite the area deployment of local security forces, has reportedly forced several people to flee Maridi town due to fear.

Maridi county’s executive director, John Ezkia Paul said shops in Maridi have remained closed as several people fled when the fighting turned into burning down of houses.

According to Ezkia, the incident followed a grenade attack on a slaughter house at a cattle camp near the town on Sunday, killing seven cows and injuring several others.

Unknown gunmen reportedly carried out the attack, drawing protests from angry shop owners.

Fighting, the official said, resumed Monday, but security forces managed to restore calm.

“Residents have fled the town. They are outside Maridi town [and] it is empty now,” said Ezkia.

Meanwhile, the South Sudanese Army spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer told reporters Tuesday that the shooting in Maridi was an attack on a cattle camp run by butchers.

“A certain armed individual threw a hand grenade into a cattle camp owned by butcherers in Maridi town who have been slaughtering their bulls for sale of meat in Maridi,” said Aguer.

“And as a result, the hand grenade killed eight bulls. Now, one of the owners of these cows reacted, and went and killed a student, somebody innocent. In the surrounding, the community that is near the cattle camp reacted and went and burnt the houses of the cattle camp owners. The army and the police have intervened,” he added.

Western Equatoria officials recently warned of a possible outbreak of rebellion in the region, should the army fail to address the problems between citizens and pastoralists.

(ST).