29-year-old shot dead after hunter mistakes him for bird

SIBU: A 29-year old man was shot dead in Julau after he was mistaken for a bird during a hunting trip.

Julau OCPD Deputy Supt Andam Sulin said at about 9.25pm on Wednesday (Aug 25), police received a call from a member of the public concerning a fatal shooting incident in Nanga Dayu, Pakan.

He said police investigations revealed that the incident took place at an area between Rumah Uding, Ulu Budu, Saratok and Rumah Anthony, Sungai Merah Dayu, Pakan.

"That afternoon, at about 2.30pm, the victim, together with two friends, walked for two hours to Rumah Anthony to hunt for wild animals," he said.

Suddenly, another man, who was heading in the opposite direction, fired his shotgun, thinking that the victim was a bird.

When the 45-year-old suspect saw that he had shot the victim, he apologised to the victim's two friends.

"The suspect surrendered himself at the police station two hours later," said DSP Andam.

The victim succumbed to gunshot wounds to his head and body.

The case is being investigated under Section 304 of the Penal Code and Section 8 of the Weapons Act 1960.