A 49-year-old man is expected to appear in Welkom Magistrate’s Court today in connection with a shooting in Thabong that claimed a young man’s life.

Bloemfontein Courant reports that police spokesperson Palesa Thabana says the incident came to light on Sunday, when police received a report of a murder from a local hospital.

“Upon arrival, police were pointed to the body of a 22-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest,” Thabana says. “The victim was brought to the hospital by his family but succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at the hospital.”

Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim was shot at his home, allegedly by his uncle. According to police, the suspect claimed that he believed there was an intruder in the kitchen and fired a shot, which struck his nephew.

“The firearm, a valid firearm licence, and seven live rounds of ammunition were confiscated for further investigation,” Thabana says. She adds that the circumstances surrounding the shooting form part of the ongoing police investigation.

The suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and is expected to appear in court today on a charge of murder.

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