Hunting trip turns tragic, hunter mistaken for animal

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BINTULU: A 40-something man was shot dead by a friend who mistook him for an animal during a hunting trip at an oil palm area near Rumah Robin Ho along Bintulu-Bakun Road on Sunday.

Bintulu police chief, Supt Abdul Razak Mohamad, said the victim and two friends had gone to the area to hunt at about 6pm on Saturday, and they split up upon reaching the place.

“At about 1.30am the next day, one of the victim’s friends saw something moving about 50 feet in front of him, and he immediately discharged his shortgun in the direction of the `object’.

“He (suspect) then heard a shout coming from that direction and immediately rushed to check it out, only to find that he had actually shot his friend.”

Abdul Razak said the other friend, who had rushed towards them upon hearing the shout, then helped the suspect to bring the victim to the hospital.

The victim, however, died on the way to Bintulu Hospital.

Abdul Razak said the case was being investigated under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.