33-year-old teacher charged with premeditated murder

AMMAN — A 33-year-old high school teacher was charged with premeditated murder on Sunday in connection with the shooting death of a university student in Jerash on Saturday night, police and official sources said.

The 21-year-old victim was shot and killed during a street brawl in the city of Jerash, 48k north of Amman, Public Security Department Spokesperson Maj. Amer Sartawi said.

“The victim was standing in the street watching a brawl between members of her family over old feuds when someone in the crowd fired a pump-action gun once, striking the girl and killing her,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

He said police questioned witnesses and individuals involved in the brawl and determined that “the teacher was the person who fired the gun.”

Upon further questioning by Criminal Court Prosecutor Qahtan Qawaqzeh, the suspect admitted that “he fired... but did not intend to shoot the woman and was merely using the weapon in the heat of the moment during the brawl”, a senior judicial source said.

Qawaqzeh issued orders for the suspect to be detained at a correctional and rehabilitation centre for 15 days pending further investigation, the source told The Jordan Times.

The Criminal Court prosecutor also issued  orders to seize the pump-action gun, which is licensed, pending further investigation, the judicial source added.

Following news of the girl’s death, her relatives set part of the suspect’s house and his family’s shop ablaze late Saturday night, according to Sartawi.

“There was limited rioting by angry relatives but we managed to contain the situation and calm was restored in the city,” Sartawi added.