Christmas turns deadly: Man shot dead over missing snooker token

In a harrowing turn of events on Christmas Day, a 21-year-old man lost his life after being shot in the head by an unidentified assailant in Filabusi. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 am, leaving the community in disbelief and mourning the senseless act of violence.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the victim and the suspect were engaged in a game of snooker at a local night club when an argument erupted over a missing snooker token. Tempers flared as the victim noticed the absence of his token, leading to a heated dispute between the two individuals.

The suspect, apparently agitated by the confrontation, abruptly left the club and made his way to a parked Toyota Fun Cargo vehicle. Without warning, he returned brandishing an unidentified pistol, which he then used to shoot the victim in the head. After committing this horrific act, the assailant swiftly fled the scene in his vehicle, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

“The ZRP is investigating a murder case in which a 21-year-old man was shot dead by an unknown suspect in Filabusi on 25 December 2023 at around 0130 hours. The suspect and the victim, who were playing snooker at a certain night club, had an argument after the victim noted that his token was missing,” read a police statement on X, formerly Twitter.

“The suspect went to his vehicle, a Toyota Fun Cargo, which was parked outside, and came back with an unidentified pistol. He shot the victim once in the head and drove off.”