A football referee in Mvolo County, Western Equatoria State, is reportedly in critical condition after being shot in the head while officiating a match in Bar-Bol village, Kokori Payam.

The victim, identified as Sabah Tiara, popularly known as J Snake, was allegedly shot by a member of the military personnel deployed by the Lakes State Government at a military detention facility in Dulo, Bar-Bol.

A family member, Zacharia Ben, told Eye Radio that the referee sustained a serious gunshot wound and remains in critical condition.

Ben said the incident occurred when an armed man arrived at the football field looking for someone and was asked by people nearby to wait.

He said the situation escalated when people advised the armed man to move away from the crowd while carrying his weapon.

According to Ben, the referee put his hand into his pocket, apparently to take out a red card or something else, prompting the armed man to threaten him before the shooting.

“There was no problem with the young man. The referee was shot on the field while officiating a football match. The armed man arrived at the field looking for someone, and people told him to wait for five minutes, assuring him that the person would come.

“While he was standing there, some people advised him to move away with his gun instead of standing among the crowd while armed. At that moment, the referee put his hand into his pocket, apparently to take out a red card or something else. The armed man then threatened him, saying, ‘I will shoot you.’ That is how the incident happened.”

Ben said the family was demanding justice and called for those responsible to be held accountable through an open and transparent legal process.

He urged the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the full force of the law.

Ben also appealed to family members, friends, and community leaders to remain calm as they await government intervention and legal action.

The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and the allegations against the military personnel have not been independently verified.

Authorities in Mvolo County had not issued an official statement on the incident by the time of publication.