PARIT BUNTAR: Police arrested a 33-year-old bodyguard after he allegedly shot a goatherd near a river in Jalan Swee Lee, Kuala Kurau here yesterday.
The 6.30pm incident was believed to have occurred when the man was having a drink with the 23-year-old victim and two other friends aged 37 and 48.
Perak Criminal Investigations Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Anuar Othman said the victim sustained injuries to his abdomen.
He said the bodyguard who works at a security company in Kuala Lumpur met his three friends to discuss a prayer ceremony for their mutual dead friend.
"During the meeting, then man took out his CZ 75 pistol with the aim of showing it off to them. He didn't realise that there was still a bullet in the chamber.
"He then pulled the trigger causing it to fire and hit the victim who was standing about a metre in front of him," he said.
Anuar said the victim was rushed to the Parit Buntar Hospital after the bullet struck the left side of his abdomen and is reported to be in a stable condition.
Anuar added that in order to hide the incident, the bodyguard then fired a shot into his duffel bag with the intention of fabricating a story that the gun allegedly exploded by itself in the bag.
"We have seized the pistol with a magazine containing eight 9mm bullets and a pistol cover," he said, adding that police were also picked up the two friends to assist in the investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 37 of the Firearms Act 1960 for the use of firearms.