One of the victims
Two teenage boys, Appiah Apenkora, and David Apawira, were shot two days ago during a snail-hunting expedition at Abompe, a community in the Obuasi Municipality in the Ashanti Region.
The gunman, Dominic Agyei, 58, opened fire on the children in a nearby bush behind his house at about 2:00 am after he had mistaken them for robbers.
Obuasi Municipal Police Commander, DSP Martin Assenso, who confirmed the tragic incident, said 17-year-old Appiah Apenkora suffered a gunshot wound on his buttocks and leg, while 13-year-old David Apawira sustained an injury to his leg and waist.
Both boys, who were among a gang of four boys hunting for snails at the mountainous area, are in a stable condition at the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital in Obuasi, according to DSP Martin Assenso.
He narrated that a pump-action gun, which was used in committing the act, had since been retrieved from the gunman.
He explained that Dominic Agyei reported to the police that he had shot some people he suspected to be armed robbers in a nearby bush behind his house on Tuesday dawn.
He disclosed that the boys were hunting for snails for sale when the rain began to fall, compelling them to abandon their mission in an attempt to rush back home.
They were shot when they were running back from the bush. Two of their colleagues, who escaped unhurt, sent the victims to the hospital.
Police were later summoned to the hospital where they found the two teenagers with gunshot wounds.
Suspect Dominic Agyei is in police custody assisting with investigations.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi