A tragic accident rocked the quiet town of Awka on Sunday, June 15, 2025, when a 10-year-old boy fatally shot his father, Police Inspector Okolie Amechi, with the officer’s service AK-47 rifle. The same bullet also injured the inspector’s second son, Emmanuel, in the hand.
The heartbreaking incident unfolded in the family’s residence, leaving neighbours and colleagues in shock. According to early investigations, the boy was reportedly “fondling” the loaded weapon when he accidentally pulled the trigger. The bullet struck his father in the back before hitting his brother.
Inspector Amechi was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Emmanuel is currently receiving treatment and is said to be responding well.
In a statement, Anambra State Police Command spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the details, describing it as a devastating loss. “The son, unaware of the state of the AK-47 rifle assigned to the Inspector, pulled the trigger and struck the Inspector on the back and his second child on the hand,” Ikenga said.
The rifle has since been recovered, and the officer’s remains have been deposited in the morgue.
The police command has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, sending condolences to the grieving family and wishing the injured son a speedy recovery. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation into how the child accessed the loaded weapon.
