Man arrested for firing weapon during brother’s wedding

AMMAN — Police on Sunday announced the arrest of a man who a day earlier reportedly fired live ammunition during his brother’s wedding, which led to an electrical short circuit in Hitteen camp.

Police were called in to the wedding and arrested the brother of the groom after witnesses said he fired live ammunition that struck an electricity cable and led to a short circuit, Public Security Department (PSD) Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said.

“The man reportedly confessed to the shooting incident and informed us that he was celebrating the wedding of his brother,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

The police official said a gun was seized and the suspect “was referred to the Criminal Court prosecutor for questioning and indictment”.

The punishment for this offence could land the suspect a maximum of 20 years in jail.

In 2015, the PSD announced strict measures against those who take part in festive firing. The department pledged to arrest any person who owns a gun without a licence or who fires weapons for any occasion.

Police have also locked up grooms whose weddings involved festive firing.

In 2015, 35 people were arrested and 33 weapons were confiscated in festive firing cases, according to official figures.

The judiciary has introduced stiffer penalties to curb festive shooting and started charging perpetrators with manslaughter and attempted murder.

Individuals convicted of causing death by festive firing could receive up to 20 years in prison, and in cases of multiple fatalities, the shooter could be sentenced to life in prison.