No charges for son grappling with hunter dad’s death

Police had second thoughts on Wednesday following the arrest of a teenage boy, who said he accidently shot and killed his father while on a morning hunting trip in rural Limassol.

A 17-year-old boy who shot and killed his father on Wednesday morning during a hunting expedition in Souni was released hours after he was briefly detained on reckless homicide charges.

According to local media, police detained the teenager on multiple charges including reckless homicide and illegal gun possession, in connection with the death of his father, 45-year-old Antonis Charilaou who was shot by his own son.

Officials said the incident was being treated as an accidental shooting after reports said the teenager was attempting to aim his rifle at prey but ended up shooting his dad in the head “due to inexperience.” 

Charliaou, a vocational school teacher from Trachoni, was said to have fallen to the ground and died instantly after a single gunshot.

Hunters nearby who heard the teen’s screams had notified authorities while the boy also was said to have called police to report the incident and identify himself as the shooter.

The victim’s wife and mother of the shooter also rushed to the scene while the boy reportedly was in disbelief after the shooting.

Police initially said the 17-year-old boy was criminally liable for the death of his father but according to local media investigators insisted that he saw a state psychiatrist, who prescribed medication and set up additional sessions with the boy.