Man shot by neighbour in critical condition
Suspect, who claims he thought the man was a ‘burglar’, arrested on ‘attempted murder’ charge
A MAN shot his neighbour because he thought he was a “burglar”, a court heard on Monday, leaving him in a critical condition.
The 60-year-old suspect, referred to by the initials EA, allegedly shot Naci Tekin, 63, with a hunting rifle causing severe injuries to his left eye and various parts of his body on Sunday night in Yedidalga.
He was arrested on charges of “attempted murder”, causing “grave injury”, “unlawful use of a firearm” and “firing a weapon in a residential area” and was brought before Güzelyurt District Court.
Police officer Erkan Yılmaz, testifying as a witness before the court, said that EA was “constantly having problems” with his next-door neighbour Mr Tekin due to
a “border dispute”.
Officer Yılmaz testified that at around 10.30pm at No 25 Şht Salih Hüseyin Sokak, Mr Tekin was “walking around in the dark in the courtyard”.
EA, who was “unable to identify him”, shot Mr Tekin “thinking he was a burglar”.
Officer Yılmaz stated that the suspect had “attempted to kill Tekin by shooting him in the head and right eye”.
He said that Tekin was initially taken by ambulance to Lefkoşa Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital. After receiving emergency treatment, he was then transferred to the Suat Günsel Hospital in Girne and placed under observation in the intensive care unit.
Officer Yılmaz noted that a piece of buckshot that hit Naci Tekin’s right eye “tore through his retina and lodged
in his brain” and that Tekin’s life is “still in danger”.
The suspect was identified and arrested at the scene of the crime at around 1am and was placed in a cell at Lefke police station.
The weapon used in the incident and two empty cartridges were seized as evidence. EA was remanded in custody to allow police more time to conduct a proper investigation.