13-year-old Egyptian struck by stray bullet in Cairo dies

Thirteen-year-old boy Youssef El-Araby died on Monday after being in a coma for almost two weeks after being struck by a stray bullet in Cairo’s 6 October district, his mother Marwa Kenawy said on Facebook.

Youssef was standing with his friends in front of a famous restaurant in 6 October’s El-Hosary Square when he collapsed. It was discovered later in the hospital that he had sustained a bullet wound to the head.

A few days ago, Egypt’s interior ministry said it arrested a suspect in relation to the shooting, who reportedly confessed to involvement in the crime.

The prosecution has ordered the suspect detained for four days pending investigation into charges of “possessing an unlicensed gun and accidentally causing injury,” according to Al-Ahram Arabic news website.

“Investigations showed that some people were firing guns during engagement celebrations at the time of the incident from the rooftop of a nearby building,” read an official statement by the ministry released on Friday.

The prime suspect, a student from Fayoum, has implicated two other people in the shooting. The two suspects are currently at large.

The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for a swift investigation.

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