Boy, 11, dies after being shot with homemade gun in Keningau

An 11-year-old boy tragically passed away after being shot in the head with a homemade gun, known as a Ginsok, in Kampung Mampulut, Sook, Keningau. The incident occurred at a rubber smallholding hut on Saturday afternoon, around 2:35pm. Keningau police received a report of the tragedy and confirmed that the victim had been rushed to Keningau Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. A post-mortem examination at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu later confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the young boy was accompanied by another child in the smallholding hut when a single shot was fired. Keningau police chief Superintendent Erwansyah Abdul Basir announced that the case is now under investigation for two sections. Firstly, Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which pertains to negligence exposing a child to danger.

Secondly, Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960, which deals with possessing a firearm without a valid license. Forensic and ballistic examinations are currently being carried out to determine the origin, storage, and handling of the homemade firearm, as well as the weapon's firing mechanism.

Superintendent Basir cautioned the public against possessing firearms without proper authorization and emphasized the importance of licensed firearm owners storing their weapons in a secure and locked location. Additionally, he urged the public to avoid making statements that might interfere with the ongoing investigation.