ZARQA, JORDAN Sari Mahmoud Alwardat, 49, was accidentally shot dead at a welcome party outside his family’s home. He was returning home from Swaqa prison where he spent nearly 20 years.
His family threw a big welcome party where everyone shot in the air, as is the custom in Jordan. But Sari’s brother’s gun jammed and when he tried to fix it, it went off just as it was pointed at Sari’s head. He fell dead on the spot.
In addition to the coroner, police arrived on the scene and arrested the shooter. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Similar incidents are common in Jordan. These incidents highlight the importance of careful handling of firearms.
