Ras Al Khaimah: A 16-year-old Emirati boy has been arrested for the fatal shooting at a UAE wedding reception.
Two shots were fired with one bullet hitting the victim and the other hitting the wall.
The victim of the shooting, a 37-year-old Emirati, was a captain in the UAE security services, Brigadier Mohammad Al Noubi, deputy general commander of Ras Al Khaimah Police, said.
The victim, who has a 5-year-old son, was rushed to Saqr Hospital at 2pm but was pronounced dead shortly after.
During questioning, the 16-year-old suspect, who is being held in custody, told police that his father had given him the gun for the wedding reception. He claimed that it went off when he lost his balance and fell down at the reception venue.
Brigadier Mohammad Al Noubi, deputy general commander of Ras Al Khaimah Police, said “I am proud of our investigators for identifying the suspect and having him in custody so quickly.” He appealed to the public not to carry firearms to weddings.
Brigadier Abdullah Khamis Al Hadidi, Director-General of Police Operations, Ras Al Khaimah Police, warned that those who do so will face jail terms.
The Ras Al Khaimah Police have seized weapons and made arrests during several previous inspection campaigns at wedding receptions.
Residents of the emirate have renewed their appeal to authorities to stop the practice of firing celebratory gunshots at weddings.
A decree was issued in 2001 outlawing the custom, but many residents stopped registering their firearms following the law, according to Ahmad Al Shehi, 35, a guest at the wedding reception that was held in the Wadi Al Qou’a area.
He was buried on Friday night at Al Fahleen cemetery.
Most young tribesmen abide by the 2001 decree, but there are some who insist on breaking them, Marwan Al Tunaiji, a 40-year-old RAK resident and former military man, said.
“I hope the authorities take steps to stop this practice — it has turned events that should be pleasurable into sorrowful occasions.”
Brigadier Mohammad Al Noubi said that several weddings had turned into funerals because of the custom and urged the public to refrain from such behaviour.
Highlighting what the decree stipulates, he said: “The dates of all wedding parties to be held in the emirate should be reported to the police before they take place and the groom at each wedding must be aware of the law.”
The groom has to sign a document in the presence of police stating he will inform his guests that the firing of guns is banned and he will be held responsible for any shooting. Brigadier Mohammad Al Noubi warned that the police will go to wedding parties and arrest those who carry firearms. The weapons will be confiscated.
The firing of guns was traditionally used in mountain areas as a form of greeting along with yells.
