Family accidently kills released prisoner with celebratory gunfire in air, in Jordan

Tragic Accidental Shooting Claims Life of Released Inmate in Jordan

Sari Mahmoud Al-Wardat (also known as Sari Salem Wardat)
April 17, 2020
Amrawah, northern Jordan, near the Syria border

Facts:
Sari Mahmoud Al-Wardat, a 46-year-old father of five, was serving an eight-month prison sentence for carrying an unlicensed weapon and resisting arrest.

He was released early on April 17, 2020, as part of Jordanian government measures to reduce prison populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upon his return to Amrawah, family and neighbors gathered to celebrate his release.

During the celebration, his distant cousin, Ahmad Salamah Wardat, a member of the Jordanian Armed Forces, fired a modified seven-millimetre gun into the air.

The gun jammed multiple times, and Ahmad accidentally shot Sari in the back of the head with a remaining bullet, leading to his immediate death.

The incident was captured on video and circulated on social media.

Ahmad was detained and likely faced a murder charge, despite the accidental nature of the shooting.

A tribal peace agreement ("Atwa") was formalized between the families to prevent revenge killings.