In a case akin to murder in the cathedral, a Catholic priest has allegedly shot a boy dead at the St Columbus Catholic Church in Amaimo community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo state.

The boy was shot after he was reported to have thrown knockouts into the church during the New Year Mass held on January 1, 2025, in Amaimo.

The sound of the gun and the result of the action has kept tongues wagging in the community, with many wondering why a priest should be in possession of a gun.

Some others have come to the defence of the priest not for shooting the boy but for owning a gun in a state said to be one of the most insecure in the south east.

Some elders in the community have condemned the action by the Catholic priest and have called for a proper investigation and arrest of the suspect.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said a detailed investigation had been initiated to ascertain the remote facts surrounding the incident.