Fowl chase ends in death of 52 year old farmer

Having failed to catch a rather evasive fowl, in a farm cottage at Hodzoga, near Ho, Johnson Kofi Agboli, allegedly shot at it, but instead of the fowl, he hit and killed his compatriot in the chase.

Francis Geze, 52, uncle of Agboli, who was hit in the thigh, died from profuse bleeding and his body is being kept at the Volta Regional Hospital in Ho.

Agboli, who is being investigated as a suspect, is on admission with gun shot wounds in the foot at the same hospital.

Mr Samuel Tetteh, Superintendent of Police in command of the Ho Municipal Police, said initial investigations indicated that the deceased had asked Agboli, his nephew earlier in the day for a GH¢10.00 loan but when he failed to get help, the two decided to trace a fowl he (deceased) had in his farm cottage for a meal.

He said Agboli carried his newly bought cap gun along and in an attempt to get the slippery fowl after a long hide and seek game, fired his gun.

Mr Tetteh said Agboli told the Police they had abandoned the chase and were in fact resting, with the gun placed leaning against a tree when it slipped and fired on its own hitting the deceased in the thigh and he (Agboli) in the foot.

The Municipal Police Commander said investigations however indicated that Agboli in his confusion probably shot himself to use as an excuse.

He said the type of gun Agboli had could only be fired once and that he could only have reloaded the gun to fire himself.

Mr Tetteh said the police had retrieved two cartridges at the sight of the incident.

GNA