Tareq Mohammed Al-Kohali, a 14-year-old boy from the Al-Safia area of Sana'a, died last week after being struck by a bullet fired during a nearby wedding.

The bullet ricocheted and went through Mohammed’s brain. His body was kept in the Al-Thawra Hospital morgue while police and forensic specialists investigated the incident.

The case was filed as involuntary manslaughter. The perpetrator is unknown.

The  incident comes one week after the interior minister’s order banning the firing of live ammunition and fireworks at weddings. He said it disturbs the peace.

The Ministry of the Interior reported that about 89 weddings were held in Sana'a on June 14.

The ministry is relying on the Sana’a Security Administration to enforce the ban. The ministry reported 42 military vehicles participated in enforcement and 15 people were arrested June 14. Those detained have been formally charged.

Abdulhakeem Al-Absi, a resident of Hael Street, expressed his irritation with the noise made by bullets and fireworks at weddings.

“It [firing a gun] became a way for young men to show off,” he said. “Effective actions must be taken to prevent shooting. Nowadays, it has become unsafe to walk in the streets because a bullet may ricochet and hit you, leaving you dead at any moment.”

Yahia Al-Ma'khadi, a member of a local council in Sana'a, said, “Police, local councils and community leaders are committed to order. Firing guns at weddings was banned, but because of the security vacuum which resulted from last year's uprising, people began using guns again.”

“We met with community leaders in neighborhoods in Sana'a and agreed that everyone must be responsible for the people in the neighborhood and must take the needed measures to prevent shooting,” he said.

“We need time [to resolve this issue] because many Yemenis own weapons, and fathers encourage their sons to carry them because it represents manhood and pride in Yemeni culture.”

Yemeni law stipulates that whoever fires a weapon publicly must pay a fine of YR 100,000 and could face three days imprisonment. Anyone launching fireworks could be subject to a fine of YR 50,000 in addition to two or three days imprisonment.