Lucknow: A 13-year-old boy died after a gun allegedly went off during a birthday party in the Krishna Nagar area of Lucknow, police said on Tuesday.
The incident took place around 6:40 pm on Monday at a residence in an LDA colony under the jurisdiction of the Krishna Nagar Police Station.
The victim, Unaes Khan, had gone to attend a friend’s birthday party along with three other minors. During the celebrations, the birthday boy, identified as 13-year-old Navneet Tripathi, allegedly took out his father’s licensed revolver from a car parked outside. The weapon reportedly discharged, and the bullet struck Unaes above his left eye. He collapsed on the spot and was rushed to Lokbandhu Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The family has alleged that the firing was not accidental and claimed that an adult may have shot the child.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Lucknow South) Nipun Agarwal said three minors present at the party have been detained for questioning. “On March 2, information was received at Krishna Nagar police station that a 13-year-old boy from Transport Nagar died after an accidental firing during a birthday party. Based on the complaint filed by the family, a case is being registered and further legal action is being taken,” he said.
Police said the licensed weapon has been seized and CCTV footage from the area is being examined. According to investigators, the revolver went off while the boy was allegedly making a video with the firearm.
Unaes, a Class VII student of Stella Maris School, was the captain of his school’s football team. He is survived by his mother, Sama Sehroz, and an elder brother.
His father, Zameer Khan, said the boy had been observing roza and was initially reluctant to attend the party, but friends persuaded him. “We received a call that firing had taken place at the party,” he said, alleging that the shot was not accidental and that his son was shot in the forehead.
The investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events.
