2 detained for shooting at schoolmate in Gurugram

Two juveniles were apprehended for allegedly shooting their 17-year-old classmate with a licensed pistol that belonged to the father of one of the suspects. The victim is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

The police investigation has so far revealed that a two-month-old quarrel at school among the three Class 11 students led to the attack at Sector 48 in Gurugram.

"On Friday night, one of the accused invited the victim out and after having food together, they went to the accused’s rented flat in Sector 48, where they fired at him,” said a senior investigator.

When a team from the Sadar police station reached the spot, the boy had been taken to the hospital by his family. During the inspection, forensic and fingerprint experts recovered a pistol, two magazines, five live cartridges, one empty shell and another magazine with 65 live rounds from a box inside the room.

The weapon belonged to one of the accused’s father, a property dealer. The police are also examining his role for alleged negligence in securing the weapon.

The victim’s mother told police that her son had gone to meet a school friend near Kherki Daula toll plaza after the friend insisted. “The two had a dispute about two months ago. The friend took the victim to a rented accommodation in Sector 48, where, along with another classmate, he allegedly fired at the victim with an intent to kill. The mother said she had refused him permission to step out but he left saying he would be back soon,” Gurugram police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar said.

Haryana Director General of Police OP Singh said, “I have instructed all SPs and CPs to alert arms licence holders in their jurisdictions about such dangers and arrange essential training on how to handle and store weapons safely.”

“This is a generation raised on video games they often fail to understand that gunfire is not a game. Parents and schools must focus on teaching children people skills and conflict resolution so that such violent confrontations never arise,” Singh added.