Five-Year-Old Girl Killed by Stray Bullet Fired by Chinese Investors in Zambia

A five-year-old girl has died from gunshot wounds after being struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by two Chinese nationals who were testing firearms in an undesignated area in Zambia’s North Western Province.

Police Assistant Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, said the incident occurred last Wednesday at around 09:00 hours at the Jifumpa Primary School Teachers’ Compound. The victim, the daughter of 30-year-old teacher Bornface Mutumbwe, was reportedly standing in a grass-thatched shelter when she was hit in the head.

She was rushed to Jifumpa Rural Health Centre and later referred to Mukinge Mission Hospital, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

North Western Province Police Commissioner, Brighton Siwale, identified the suspects as 44-year-old Zheng Chencheng, armed with a 9mm Taurus pistol, and 48-year-old Wan Rong Gen, armed with a .45mm Sig Sauer P320. Preliminary investigations revealed that the two were allegedly testing their firearms at the Ruida Investment mine site, about 100 metres from the school, and firing in the direction of the compound.

“The projectile entered the left side of the child’s head and exited on the right. The bullet was recovered at the scene after falling to the ground,” said Siwale.

Police recovered both pistols, along with ammunition and magazines, for ballistic examination. Chencheng reportedly had 57 rounds before the incident but was left with 49 and three empty magazines, while Gen had 27 rounds and was left with 18 and two empty magazines.

Both suspects are in police custody as investigations continue. The child’s body is in the Mukinge Mission Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Local residents have expressed concern that the suspects might evade justice due to their financial influence, urging authorities to ensure accountability for the killing.