Tragedy in North Cyprus as 14-year old boy shot both parents and self dead

Tragedy struck in Geçitkale, North Cyprus on Friday morning with a 14 years old boy, his mother Bengü Çobanoğlu and father İbrahim Çobanoğlu found dead with gunshot wounds at the home.

According to media report, the teenager identified as Çınar Çobanoğlu reportedly shot and killed his parents with his father’s shotgun while they were sleeping in the bedroom at about 3:30 am and then turned the firearm against himself in an attempt to take his own life.

He was taken to Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Lefkosa where he died.

After the incident, police found two empty cartridges inside the house and a gun. His 18-year-old elder brother Eralp Çobanoğlu, was taken to Famagusta Police Department and then to the Iskele Police Department for questioning, and mobile phones were examined. 

He was then taken to the Famagusta State Hospital for a health check. 

Police said the weapon used in the incident was being examined, hand swab samples were also taken from Eralp Çobanoğlu for ballistic research to shed light on the murder.

Family home in Geçitkale where the incident took place

A neighbour who spoke to the media said; 

It was past 3 in the morning, the doorbell was ringing violently, Eralp (the eldest son of the house) was saying ‘Uncle run, save me … Çınar shot at me, run and look he did something to himself’… He was saying ‘Take me into your house’.“… I did not understand anything until then. When I found him (Çınar), he was sitting on the bed and slumped over. He was covered in blood, we carried him to the ambulance.

His father is a retired Petty Officer.

According to a report by Turkish Cypriot daily, Kibris Postasi, citing information, said there was a discussion at the home on Thursday afternoon about a video game the 14-year-old was playing and that he had pulled a knife against his brother during the argument.

The daily also reports that questions arise as to how the child learned to use a weapon.

Other media outlets report that it is not yet known who committed the murders.

The house where the incident took place has been cordoned off by the police who are continuing their investigations.