Woman accidentally shot and killed by her 15-year-old son

A TRAGEDY unfolded on Thursday night after a 15-year-old boy shot and killed his mother, in what reports initially dubbed a horrific accident.

An autopsy was set to determine the precise cause of death; police initially said the victim, a 43-year-old mother of five, likely died instantly from the gunshot.

She was shot in the chin; the wound was through. The woman was found lying dead on the ground in a pool of blood.

The single shot, fired from a Flaubert rifle, was heard by the father, who notified police.

The incident happened around between 5 and 6pm while the family were sojourning at their country house in Layia, Larnaca. The family hail from Nicosia.

The shooting took place in a shed next to the house.

A Larnaca police spokesman said the rifle had been bought by one of the victim’s sons and was not registered. He said detectives would try to ascertain whether the shooter knew that the gun was loaded.

Reports said the loaded gun was accidentally discharged while the boy was handling it.

The 15-year-old had initially fled the scene, but was found and is in police custody.