Tragic Firearm Accident Claims Life of Nine-Year-Old Boy
A man has pleaded guilty to multiple firearm offences following the accidental shooting death of a nine-year-old boy in regional New South Wales. Zafer Halwani, 34, admitted his guilt at Goulburn Local Court on September 24 after Mohamed 'Moey' Fattah was unintentionally shot in the neck at a Windellama property near Goulburn.
Sequence of Events Leading to Tragedy
Emergency services were called to the Fernleigh Close property at approximately 11.20am on April 13 following reports of a serious injury from an accidental firearm discharge. Officers from the Hume Police District arrived to find nine-year-old Mohamed Fattah with a critical neck wound.
Despite immediate treatment by NSW Ambulance paramedics, the young boy could not be saved and died at the scene. The incident prompted police to establish Strike Force Dalzeill to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohamed's death.
Legal Proceedings and Additional Charges
Halwani faced two counts of allowing an unauthorised person to possess a firearm and one count of not keeping a firearm safely. He pleaded guilty to all charges and is scheduled for sentencing next week.
In a related development, a 14-year-old boy was also arrested and taken to Goulburn police station where he was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm. Police understand the teenager had been holding the weapon when it discharged, unaware that it was loaded.
Community Mourning and Family's Heartbreak
Four days after Mohamed's funeral, hundreds of mourners gathered at Lakemba Mosque to pay their final respects to the much-loved child. His mother Mariam spoke to the Daily Telegraph, describing her son's death as a 'tragic accident'.
'I just want people to know it can happen to anyone, so hold your loved ones close,' she said in an emotional statement. 'He was loved by everyone, he was a very cheeky, happy boy.'
A comprehensive report has been prepared for the coroner as the community continues to grapple with this devastating loss that highlights the critical importance of proper firearm storage and safety measures.
