Hargeisa, Somaliland (WDN)-Residents of Hargeisa are reeling from a horrifying domestic shooting that took place over the weekend, involving a soldier from the Somaliland armed forces. According to eyewitness accounts and medical sources, the soldier opened fire inside his family home, fatally shooting his wife and their young daughter. The assailant also seriously wounded his sister-in-law, who remains in critical condition at Hargeisa General Hospital.

The tragic incident occurred in a residential neighborhood in the city, called Faluuja. Emergency services rushed to the scene, where they confirmed the deaths of the wife and child. The injured woman, the wife’s sister, was transported urgently to the hospital, where she is currently receiving medical treatment.

Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the motive behind the shooting, and it remains unclear whether the soldier has been apprehended. Security officials from the Somaliland Ministry of Interior have not responded to repeated media inquiries.

The community has reacted with outrage and sorrow. Residents described the act as “senseless” and “unprecedented in recent memory.” Many have taken to social media and local platforms to call for swift justice and transparency from law enforcement. Community elders and civil society groups are urging authorities to treat the matter with the utmost seriousness, stressing the need to address the growing concerns about domestic violence and unchecked impunity among security personnel.

“This is not just a family tragedy—it is a national wake-up call,” said one local activist. “We need answers. And more importantly, we need justice.”

The case has reignited public debates around mental health support within the armed forces, gun control, and the need for accountability when crimes are committed by members of the security sector. Calls are growing louder for Somaliland’s military leadership to investigate whether there were prior warning signs or disciplinary issues involving the soldier.

As the investigation continues, Hargeisa mourns a family torn apart by violence—and a city once known for its calm now grapples with fear, anger, and unanswered questions.

WardheerNews