A dispute breaks out between two people in the Sea Sweet pastry shop in Zouk Mosbeh, Kesrouan, on Jan. 29, 2023. (Credit: Screenshot of a video circulating on social media)
BEIRUT — An argument between two men in the Sea Sweet pastry shop in Zouk Mosbeh, Kesrouan, degenerated into gunfire on Sunday, leaving one man injured, a spokesman for the pastry shop confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour. He did not, however, provide further details on the motives behind the shooting.
A video shared on social networks shows two men getting into a verbal argument before coming to blows. Then, as one of the men attempts to break the computer screen of a cash register, a third man opens fire on him with a pistol, the video shows.
إشكال وإطلاق نار في “Sea sweet” بالذوق! pic.twitter.com/bvmwB26xKm
— vdlnews - 93.3FM صوت كل لبنان (@sawtkellebnen) January 29, 2023
According to the state-run National News Agency, the injured man, identified by the initials A.A., in his 40s and is an employee of the bakery. The report added that the man was hit by five bullets — three in the legs and two others in the shoulder and stomach — and was transported to St. John's Hospital in Jounieh, where he is in a stable condition. The assailant has reportedly turned himself in to General Security.
The Internal Security Forces (ISF) and the criminal police were deployed to the scene and have opened an investigation into the incident, the NNA reported. L'Orient Today could not immediately reach spokespersons for the ISF or General Security for comment.
Armed incidents have been on the rise in Lebanon of late in the context of a growing economic crisis. Firearms circulate with relative ease among the population, in the face of the laxity on the part of the authorities.