Moolamattom youth fired 5 times with country-made gun; unprovoked attack on victim, says eatery owner

Thodupuzha: Investigation has revealed that the gun used by the youth for firing at the local residents here in Moolamattom of Kerala's Idukki district was likely manufactured locally.

Philip Martin (aka Kuttu), 26, from Puthapurakkal, Moolamattom killed one and critically injured three by firing at a crowd here following an altercation with them on Saturday night.

After the quarrel, Philip collected the gun from his residence and returned to the site and fired at the locals here five times, eyewitnesses said.

Police investigation has revealed that the unlicensed gun used by Philip was a country-made weapon with small makeshift, pellet-like bullets. The gun was made a blacksmith in Edattu in 2014. 

Two rounds of ammunition can be stored in the gun at once, Manorama News reported. The incident occurred at 9.40pm on Saturday in front of the Moolamattom High School.

According to reports, Philip and two other friends had food from a wayside eatery run by a group of women. 

They reportedly had an altercation with the women and other locals. The suspects returned to the place and allegedly fired five shots before driving away.

One of the bullets hit Sanal Babu and his friend who were passing by. Sanal was shot in the neck.

"The accused was accompanied by another person on Saturday night," Sowmya, the owner of the eatery told Manorama News on Sunday. She added that while one person was in an inebriated state, the other individual was not. He consumed food at the eatery and paid for the meal.

"The victim Sanal did not pay a visit to our shop. The accused did not pick a fight with him at the shop," she clarified will dismissing rumors that the attacker was provoked by the victim.

The deceased has been identified as Keerithodu native Sanal Babu, 34, who worked as a private bus conductor.  His friend Pradeep and two others  were admitted to a private hospital here with serious injuries.

Philip was captured by the police from Muttom. It is understood that the other suspects are absconding.