Lie-detector tests for 3 children

FATAL SHOOTING: Investigation takes on new twist

Muhammad Faris Faizal Noor Hissham was playing with his brother and two cousins

KOTA BARU: THREE children, between the ages of 5 and 6, have been sent to the Child Interview Centre (CIC) in Penang to undergo lie-detector tests as investigations into the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old boy last week took a new twist.

It was earlier reported that Muhammad Faris Faizal Noor Hissham had accidentally shot himself with his uncle's police-issued Walther pistol during his birthday party last Friday.

Investigations, however, revealed that the victim was playing with his younger brother and two cousins, and that one of them could have accidentally shot him.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the children were sent to the CIC on Wednesday to facilitate investigations. Jalaluddin said it was too soon to disclose the outcome of the investigations but they were concerned with the allegations raised by the victim's family.

Faris' family were told that the victim's fingerprints were not found on the murder weapon.

The family had also expressed disappointment with reports that Faris shot himself.

Jalaluddin, said the policeman, whose firearm was used in the incident, had been referred to the Johor police where he is attached to, for further investigations.

The policeman is Faris' uncle who went back home in Pasir Mas last Friday evening for his nephew's birthday. The policeman is being investigated for causing death by negligence.

Faris was killed by a shot to his head. The bullet also hit his uncle, Helmi Ghazali, 31, in the back. Helmi is recuperating in hospital.

Helmi, an administrative assistant at the Kolej Antarabangsa Sultan Ismail Petra, was admitted to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II (RPZ II) Hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.

It was reported that Faris, his younger brother and two cousins were playing among themselves when they found the gun.

The family was stunned when a shot rang out and the boy was found dead.