Man Opens Fire on Wife, Son

?After Three Days Of Fasting

Aboabo No.2, a predominantly farming community near Bodewe-Sango in the Adansi East District of the Ashanti region, was nearly plunged into a state of mourning when a 38-year-old man, who had just returned from three days of fasting in the bush, opened fire on three people, including his wife and their one-and-half-year old baby. The baby and its mother, Afia Boadiwaa, as well as one Yaa Menka, a friend of Boadiwaa, sustained gunshot wounds and were admitted at the Bekwai hospital.

Daniel Awuku, the suspect, then attempted to end his life by shooting himself with the same gun but did not die and had since been on admission to the same hospital under police guard. Police chief superintendent K.A. Boateng, the Obuasi Divisional Police Commander said that on August 22, this year, Daniel and his wife, Boadiwaa decided to undertake three days of fasting to address some perceived spiritual problems. The man vacated his house for the bush on his first day of fasting and did not return until the next day. Chief Superintendent Boateng said when Daniel returned home the next day he took his unlicensed gun and some cartridges and returned to the bush.

The divisional commander stated that on the third day, August 24, when Daniel had not returned, Yaa Menkah went to Boadiwaa?s house to discuss the problem. He said Daniel returned later from the bush to meet the two women conversing and opened fire on them without any provocation, injuring them in the process. After the act, he fled into the bush and attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself. Even though the bullet hit him, he did not die before the police moved in and sent him to the hospital where he had since been admission. Enquiries about the mental state of Daniel revealed that he has no history of mental problem and that he is sane.