PUDUCHERRY: What should have been a happy moment turned instead into tragedy when a former air force man ended up killing his relative at Karikkalampakkam near here, on Wednesday. He also attacked another relative injuring him in the process.
According to the police, Namassivayam (49), a former air force man, shot dead his relative Sivakozhunthu, a panchayat clerk, with his double barrel gun.
Namassivayam also injured his brother Thangaraju’s son Thanigaivannan over differences in a marriage in the family, which was to be solemnised shortly.
V J Chandran, senior superintendent of police (law and order), said that Namassivayam had allegedly floated rumours about the bride, Thangaraju’s daughter, and had even said a few uncharitable things about her to the would-be groom.
Thanigaivannan questioned Namassivayam about this following which they had a heated argument.
An enraged Namassivayam then threatened them with his double barrel gun, even firing in the air for good measure.
Thinking the gun to be empty, Thanigaivannan came back with his relative Sivakozhunthu and picked up from where he had left.
Namassivayam then picked up his gun again and in the scuffle with the duo, he pulled the trigger with the bullet piercing through the ear of Sivakozhunthu and killing him on the spot.
The ex-service man also attacked Thanigaivannan inflicting injuries in his head, hand and leg.
The latter was rushed to the government general hospital. Police registered a case and arrested Namassivayam.
