Hunting Accident: Young Girl Fatally Shot, Suspect in Custody

COLOMBO (News 1st); A 47-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a nine-year-old girl in the Magulagama area of Hettipola, Kuliyapitiya. 

The suspect is a resident of the same area.

According to Sri Lanka Police, a group of individuals from Magulagama had gone hunting for wild boars last night. 

The young girl and her aunt had stepped outside their house after hearing noises.

It was then that the girl and her aunt were struck by gunfire intended for the wild boars.

The police reported that the severely injured girl was rushed to the Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. 

The aunt sustained a gunshot wound to her leg and is currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.

The shooting was carried out with a 12-bore firearm. Following the incident, the shooter fled the area but has since been apprehended by the authorities.