A young man killed by a stray bullet during an argument between two motorists in Akkar, North Lebanon, April 3, 2023. (Courtesy of: Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — A young man was killed on Monday by mistake during a shooting between two motorists in Bebnine, a town in the northern Akkar governorate, our correspondent in the region reported, citing eyewitnesses.
An argument reportedly broke out Monday between two men named as R.S. and Ch.M., before one of them allegedly shot the other. A third man, named as M.A., was hit by mistake as he was passing by, afterward transported to the al-Khair hospital in nearby Minyeh. Medical sources confirmed that the young man arrived at the hospital in critical condition and eventually died of his injuries.
However, when contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, Bebnine municipality president Kifah al-Kassar offered another version of the events.
According to Kassar, the alleged shooter was armed and on foot when he came across Ch. M., with whom he had a prior family dispute. When the suspect encountered Ch. M., the suspect allegedly said he didn't want to see Ch.M. in the area again, then shot him.
According to Kassar, the victim, who is in his twenties, was standing in front of his house when the shooting took place.
On Monday evening, after army personnel deployed to Bebnine the family of the alleged shooter announced in a statement that they had handed over the man to the authorities.
Such shootings have become common as arms proliferate in Lebanon with few regulations.
On Sunday, a stray bullet injured a young girl in Kfarchima, Mount Lebanon, while she was participating in Palm Sunday celebrations.
Additional reporting by Michel Hallak