Police in Jonglei have arrested a man after his 19-year-old expectant girlfriend fatally shot herself in Twic East County.

The State police commissioner, Gen. Elia Costa says this happened after the parents took the girl away from the spouse over an unpaid dowry.

The deceased, Mary Awut Garang was pregnant with her 28-year-old boyfriend, Ngang Aguen Ngany.

However, the deceased parents on Sunday demanded the man pay a dowry for their daughter.

In response, the bridegroom allegedly said he only had one million South Sudanese pounds, but he was not ready at hand at the time.

After disagreement ensued, the teen’s parents decided to take their daughter with them saying they would take care of their daughter’s pregnancy until the man gets the dowry.

The following day, Commissioner Costa says, the expectant woman picked his father’s gun and shot herself, dying instantly.

The police official told Eye Radio on Thursday, May 25, 2023, that suspect Ngang Aguen has been taken into custody for questioning.

“On the 21st of this month, we received a report stating that a 19-year-old girl named Mary Awut Granag shot herself with a gun and died in Twic East County,” Gen. Costa narrated what happened to Eye Radio.

“We opened a police case and through the investigation, it became clear to us that the girl was pregnant by a young man named Ngang Aguen Ngany 28 years old,

“According to our investigation, the girl’s family went to the young man’s house to discuss the dowry issue. The young man said that he has a million pounds, but the amount is not ready. The girl’s family decided that they would take the girl home to give birth, while the young man would complete the money.

“On the 22nd of this month [May 2023], the girl took her father’s gun, shot herself, and died on the spot, and the police arrested the young man.”

The commissioner also said the police are investigating the deceased father over the incident including his possession of a gun in the house.