On Friday, the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) woke to the grim news that a mother and father, and their teenage son had been shot dead in their home in Geçitkale, near Famagusta.
Bengü Çobanoğlu, 48, and her husband İbrahim Çobanoğlu, 52, had been killed in their bedroom.
Their 14-year-old son Çınar Çobanoğlu was also shot, and rushed to Lefkoşa Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, but despite extensive medical efforts he could not be saved.
An older teenage son was discovered unharmed.
Initial reports suggest the killings were due to a murder-suicide.
A neighbour who discovered the grim scene and called emergency services explained what he saw.
“We were woken at 03:00 in the morning by violent knocking at our door. The older son came to us and said, ‘Run save me, Çınar has fired’.”
“The 18-year-old boy told us, ‘Hide me in your home’, so we took him into our house. In the meantime, I ran across to the house opposite us,” the unnamed neighbour continued.
“We did not hear any gunshots. I ran and went to the home. I found the boy sitting covered in blood. I called the ambulance and the police. They came and I helped too. We put the child in the ambulance thinking maybe we can save him. The mother and father had lost their lives.”
The eyewitness added, “The 18 year old boy came to us and said ‘Uncle! Çınar tried to shoot me and said he will do something to me’, and asked for help.”
Police have confirmed the three deaths and launched a major investigation into the shooting.
