Bonthe District Police have confirmed the death of Bangalie Lavalie, a well-known hunter from Nyanyaguahun village in Nongorbabullom Chiefdom, Bonthe District.

The tragic incident occurred during a hunting expedition with fellow hunter Musu Lebbie, who is now a prime suspect in the case.

According to police reports, the two hunters set out on the hunt when the situation took a fatal turn. Musu Lebbie was the last person to see the deceased alive, leading investigators to focus on him as the primary suspect.

It is alleged that Lebbie shot Lavalie with a shotgun during the hunt, mistakenly believing he was aiming at a wild animal.

In his defense, the suspect claims innocence, stating, “I shot at a wild animal, and to my greatest surprise, it turned out to be a human being.”

Detective Inspector Thomas Lavalie, the officer in charge of the case at the Bonthe District Police Division, explained that the police responded swiftly to the report, visiting the crime scene and conducting investigations. The deceased was found with multiple injuries, including a gunshot wound to his right shoulder joint, as confirmed by an examination at UBC Hospital.

While crime in the area is generally low, Inspector Lavalie noted that this marks the third similar incident of fatal shootings in Nongorbabullom Chiefdom. The deceased has since been buried, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death are ongoing.

Authorities have assured the public that there is no current threat to life in the community.