Boy, 8, shoots playmate dead

An eight-year old primary two boy at Awoshie, in Accra, horrified the neighbourhood last Friday, when he allegedly shot and killed his two-year old playmate, Abdulai Razak Mohammed, with his father's pistol.

The boy, whose name has been withheld, was said to have run to his father's bedroom for the locally manufactured gun, while they were both playing at home that afternoon.

He came out with the loaded pistol and shot little Mohammed in the neck, killing him instantly.

When contacted, Dr. K.K. Manfo, Accra Regional Police Commander, confirmed the story and indicated that the two boys, whose parents live in the same compound house, were regular playmates.

According to him, Mohammed came over to the elder boy at about midday to play with him, during which period the boy entered his father's room for the gun, already loaded with live ammunition.

The playing suddenly turned tragic on his return, as the gun went off, hitting Mohammed in the neck.

According to Dr Manfo, both the boy and his father, Hanson Boadu, a driver of Vanef STC, have been arrested.

Investigations have, so far, revealed that the gun was not licensed. Two extra live ammunitions were found in the gun. The boy's father has been charged for using unlicensed firearm and abetment of crime, whiles the boy is yet to be charged.

Dr Manfo explained that a child above seven years can be arraigned before court, referring to the Children's Act, which stipulates that any crime committed by a child between seven and 12 years, with ample proof that the child has sufficient understanding of the implication of the crime, shall be deemed criminal.