Pregnant woman shot dead after being mistaken for a deer

A 33-year-old pregnant woman, identified as Yaa Karim, has died after two teenagers allegedly mistook her for a deer and shot her twice in a farmland at Huniso, near Bogoso.

The incident occurred last Thursday morning when Karim reportedly went into the bush to collect firewood.

The two suspects are now in police custody in Tarkwa.

According to reports, the teenagers said they noticed movement in the bush and believed it was a deer. They allegedly opened fire without confirming their target, only to discover afterwards that they had shot a pregnant woman.

The deceased's sister, Lydia Abanga in an interview with Connect 97.1 FM in Takoradi, said Karim worked as a labourer at Ghana Rubber Plantation Limited and had used her time off to collect firewood.

"I think she was trying to draw the wood to the roadside when the kids shot her," Abanga said.

She said the suspects are very young.

"One of them is just about 18 years old. The other is younger."

According to Abanga, the suspects told the family they fired a second time after the first shot failed to bring Karim down.

"They shot her twice," she said.

She added that the boys reported themselves to the police.

Karim was six months pregnant and left behind four children. Abanga said the family is devastated and seeking justice.

Police in Tarkwa have confirmed that investigations are ongoing. The suspects are expected to be arraigned once the necessary procedures are completed.

By Abraham Mensah