Judge's gavel in courtroom - (Photo: Courtesy).

Torit High Court in Eastern Equatoria State has sentenced a 40-year-old police officer to death by hanging for killing a young man in Kapoeta South County last month.

The convict, Jacob Ajith was arrested on the 17^th February 2024 in connection with the shooting dead of a 20-year-old man, following an incident involving his son.

Ajith was at his residence on that fateful Saturday morning, when his son reported to him that he was beaten by some youth.

The angry police officer then picked up his gun and went on a shooting spree killing a young man and sparking high tension before his arrest.

A few hours later, relatives of the victim stormed a National Security Service office where the police officer was being held in an attempt to remove the suspect, but security personnel intervened.

In his ruling on Thursday, Torit High Court Judge, Obaj Dengong Anyong, said the deceased was not among the young men who fought with the perpetrator’s son.

Judge Dengong said the young man was killed by a stray bullet from the convicted officer, who fired ten shots.

The deceased died instantly from a bullet wound to his chest.

The judge found Jacob Ajith guilty of violating section 206 of the South Sudan 2088 penal act and he will be hanged.

The judge passed the verdict yesterday after consulting with the parents and relatives of the victim, who refused blood compensation and demanded retaliation.

According to section 206 of the South Sudan Penal Act 2008, whoever causes the death of another person commits the offence of murder, and upon conviction shall be sentenced to death or imprisonment for life and may also be liable to a fine.