A 17-YEAR-OLD boy sustained four suspected shotgun wounds to both legs after he was allegedly shot while clearing vegetation near a water catchment area in Long Lidung, Jalan Ba’Kelalan in Lawas on Saturday.
Lawas district police chief Deputy Superintendent Liong Tindan said police received a report about the incident at 9.51am on Sunday.
He said preliminary investigations found that the teenager had left his home at about 5pm to go to the water catchment area, located about one kilometre away, after the water supply to his house was cut off.
At about 7pm, the victim was reportedly clearing vegetation around the water catchment area when he suddenly felt pain in both legs.
“When he checked, the victim found four wounds believed to have been caused by shots fired from a shotgun,” Tindan said in a statement today.
The teenager was unable to return home, prompting his father to go looking for him at about 8pm.
His father found him lying in pain in a forested area near the water catchment site before taking him to Lawas Hospital for treatment.
The victim is now reported to be in stable condition.
Tindan said police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and working to identify and locate the individual or individuals involved.
The case is being investigated under Section 37 of the Arms Act 1960 and Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
Police urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the Lawas District Police Headquarters at 085-283037 or the nearest police station.
The public was also advised against making speculation that could disrupt the investigation or affect public order. - August 18, 2026
