A Somali National Army officer has been accused of killing an 11-year-old boy in the Haanta Dheer neighbourhood of Mogadishu last night, according to the victim’s family.

Eyewitnesses and relatives of the deceased confirmed to Raxanreeb Media that the officer, whose house is located near the scene of the incident, became irritated by the noise made by young children playing close to his residence.

The officer allegedly came out of his house and shot the boy—an orphan who had been raised without parents—using a pistol, while the other children fled the area.

The boy died instantly at the scene, leaving his family in deep grief. The officer reportedly escaped from the area and is currently being sought by security forces, according to the family who spoke to the media. So far, the government has not released any details regarding the officer’s arrest or the progress of the investigation.

Family members and local residents have called for the perpetrator to be brought to justice, urging authorities to protect Somali children from the recurring acts of violence that continue to plague their communities.