KUALA LUMPUR – A Form Two student was killed after being struck by a shot from a homemade firearm, known as a bakakuk, while playing hide-and-seek with a friend in the yard of a house along Jalan Kem PPH, here, yesterday morning.
The incident occurred at about 8am when the victim, aged 14, was playing with a friend who allegedly fired the weapon accidentally from approximately three metres away.
The victim collapsed with 14 gunshot wounds and was rushed to Keningau Hospital by nearby villagers, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital’s Emergency Unit.
Keningau District Police Chief, Superintendent Yampil Anak Garai, said initial findings indicated that the suspect, also 14, had earlier seen the victim holding the bakakuk in front of the house and asked for the weapon “as a joke”.
“While playing hide-and-seek, the victim hid under the house before the suspect is believed to have accidentally pulled the trigger and fired towards the victim.
“The suspect panicked and sought help from villagers who happened to be passing by before the victim was taken to the hospital,” he was quoted saying by Berita Harian.
A medical examination found 14 gunshot injuries on the victim’s right chest, right arm, knee and left side of his body.
Superintendent Yampil said investigations revealed that the firearm had been hidden by another boy, aged 13, who is the suspect’s younger brother, while the weapon’s owner was their 70-year-old father.
“All three family members have been detained for further investigations. Police also seized the bakakuk, live ammunition, spent shells, the suspect’s clothing and two mobile phones to assist investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code,” he said. – December 8, 2025