Miri: Suspected of being a monkey, a man was shot dead while climbing a fruit tree in Kampung Kejapil Bekenu, here.
The incident happened at 12 PM yesterday, caused the body of the victim, Mohamad Hallim Jamee, 32, to get stuck in a tree at a height of 32.6 metres from the ground. and had to be brought down by the rescue team.
Miri District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Hakemal Hawari said the victim died immediately after being shot by a 70-year-old man from the same village who thought he was a monkey.
He said, his team requested assistance of members of the Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station for a special service to lower the victim’s body.
“The fire brigade using a special rope and managed to bring down the victim at 4.40pm. We detained the suspect to assist in the investigation.
"Members also seized a shotgun and 13 live bullets believed to be used by the suspect," he said in a statement, today.
According to him, further investigations are still underway, and the victim's body was taken to the Miri Hospital forensic unit for autopsy before being handed over to the family for burial.
