A surprising incident unfolded on Saturday morning in St. Patrick’s, Rose Hill, where a 50-year-old man was shot in the left ankle while trying to steal avocados from private property. The person who shot the man, a 78-year-old resident, claims he acted in self-defense. Police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances about the incident.
According to initial findings, the event occurred around 11:30 a.m. in a cul-de-sac on Pasteur Avenue. The victim had reportedly climbed onto the roof of a garage next to the property to reach an avocado tree, the branches of which extended over the yard. At the time, the homeowner—an elderly man living with his wife—was watching television when he heard suspicious noises.
Concerned about a possible break-in, the man retrieved his legally-owned double-barreled shotgun and stepped outside. Upon seeing the trespasser, a heated verbal exchange took place. The intruder allegedly shouted, “Ki ou kapav fer mwa? Les mo desann ou ava kone ki mwa,” which roughly translates to, “What can you do to me? Let me come down and you’ll find out who I am.”
In response, the 78 year old man fired a shot, striking the man in the leg. The injured man fled the scene and later sought treatment at Dr. AG Jeetoo Hospital in Port-Louis, where he was admitted in stable condition. Hospital staff notified the authorities, prompting Rose Hill police to launch an investigation. Traces of blood led officers to the location of the firing.
Police interviewed the homeowner and seized his firearm along with ten unused cartridges. He provided a valid firearms license and hunting permit. He explained that he had recently returned from a hunting trip in Bambous-Virieux and had chosen to stay at his second residence in Rose Hill due to heavy rain, where he had stored the weapon securely. He insisted he had no intention of breaking the law.
Following consultations with senior officers and a legal department representative, the man was allowed to return home under the condition that he report to the police station the next day for legal proceedings and possible court action.
Ballistic and biological analyses are currently underway, including tests on the blood found at the scene. Forensic teams, ballistics experts, and the Scene of Crime Office are actively involved, with the investigation being overseen by a deputy superintendent of police.