A four-year-old boy has died after being struck by a stray bullet during a social gathering in the city of Bani Walid, reigniting urgent calls to address Libya’s ongoing firearms chaos and the proliferation of unregulated weapons.
The child, identified as Yassin Mohamed Ammar Al-Jurm Al-Telmati, fell into a coma following the shooting and was immediately transferred to the hospital in critical condition, where he received intensive care for two days. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries, leaving his family and community devastated.
The incident occurred during a public celebration, where random gunfire—a common occurrence in parts of western Libya—turned tragic.
Out-of-Control Gun Culture Claims Another Innocent Life
This tragic case has once again spotlighted the uncontrolled spread of weapons in Libyan cities, particularly in the west, where celebratory gunfire, armed clashes, and civilian shootings have become disturbingly frequent since the fall of the former regime in 2011.
Over the years, thousands of civilians have been killed or injured due to either random gunfire or involvement in localized armed conflicts. Despite repeated pledges, successive governments have failed to enforce disarmament, leaving civilians—including children—vulnerable to preventable tragedies.
Local residents and activists have renewed calls for authorities to impose strict gun control measures, raise awareness, and hold perpetrators accountable.
