Police are considering the possibility that the assailants who attacked a 21-year-old at a mobile shop in Thelijjawela, Matara, may have misidentified their target.
On Saturday night, two individuals on a motorcycle arrived at a mobile shop in Malimbada, opened fire on the young man seated in a chair. Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim is a friend of the shop owner, who, notably, was not present during the shooting.
Before the incident, the shooters had reportedly visited the shop to inquire about photocopying services, but the owner informed them that such facilities were unavailable.
Mindika Aluthgamage, a resident of Denipitiya, had visited the shop to charge his mobile phone when the shooting occurred.
"Preliminary investigations have revealed that the victim has no involvement in crimes, and police suspect that he was mistakenly targeted," stated Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa.
Multiple police teams are actively investigating to apprehend the shooters and uncover the motive behind the shooting.
In the meantime, the Matara Chief Magistrate has ordered police security for the mobile shop owner, suspecting that the shooting may have been intended for them.
