Woman shoots son before turning gun on herself

SHEIKHUPURA:

A 42-year-old woman allegedly shot and killed her seven-year-old son before taking her own life at Ghung Road in Sheikhupura, with police saying financial hardship and depression may have contributed to the incident.

Her six-year-old daughter, Taiba Imran, also sustained a gunshot wound and was initially taken to the District Headquarters Hospital.

The deceased were identified as Shazia Imran and her seven-year-old son, Ahsan Imran. Their bodies were shifted to the DHQ Hospital for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to the family.

City A Division SHO Syed Qamar Abbas told reporters that Shazia had been married to labourer Imran, a wagon driver in Gujrat, for about eight years. He said she had reportedly been suffering from depression and had experienced several episodes in recent months despite receiving treatment.

According to the SHO, the family lived in a small house, with Shazia's brother residing on the upper floor.

He said the woman generally kept the house locked.

The SHO said a fruit vendor had arrived in the street when Ahsan and Taiba asked their mother for money to buy fruit.

Police believe the incident followed an episode in which Shazia allegedly became distressed over the family's financial circumstances.

He said the woman allegedly assaulted the children before opening fire and then taking her own life.

Police recovered a pistol from the house. The SHO said preliminary findings indicated that the weapon was not licensed.