KENTE WEAVER ON RAMPAGE (PAGE 23)

Story: George Ernest Asare & Georgina Agyei Twum, Kumasi

A 35-year-old Kente weaver at Ntonso, near Mamponteng in the Ashanti region, who could not withstand being jilted went on the rampage, shooting the girlfriend and her nine-month-old baby girl at close range before attempting to end his life.
Thinking that the locally manufactured pistol he fired at his victims at close range had caused a fatal damage, Kofi Nti, applied a hot heater on his stomach with the view to committing suicide.
He, however, survived the ordeal and was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where he was revived.
His victims, Dorcas Kwarteng and the baby girl, also survived the gunshot wounds and were treated and discharged at the intensive care unit of the KATH, where they were rushed to for emergency medical care.
While the suspect shot Dorcas Kwarteng in the breast, causing severe damage and making her bleed profusely, the daughter was wounded in the shoulder.
Nti was arraigned at a Kumasi High Court charged with causing harm and illegal possession of weapons on Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case was adjourned to March 11, 2009.
Prosecuting, an Assistant State Attorney, Mr Emmanuel Otoo-Boison, said Nti used to be in a steady relationship with Dorcas but due to some differences, the relationship broke down and Dorcas befriended another man, with whom she had the baby.
The prosecutor said on December 24, 2008, while Dorcas was planning to celebrate Christmas with her man and daughter, she passed by the house of the suspect.
Mr Otoo-Boison said on seeing Dorcas carrying the baby, he got up to snatch the baby girl from the mother and dashed into his room.
He said Dorcas became alarmed and followed him into his room to get her baby.
The Assistant State Attorney said as soon as Dorcas entered the room, the suspect locked the door, took a locally manufactured pistol and shot Dorcas in the breast before directing the gun at the child, shooting her as well in the hands, causing them to bleed profusely.
He said thinking that the victims were dead, Nti took a hot heater and applied it to his stomach in an attempt to commit suicide, but in the process, some neighbours who heard the noise rushed into the room and took them to the KATH where they were admitted.
He said the case was reported to the police who monitored the conditions of the victims and the suspect charged with the offence as soon as he was discharged from the hospital.