Unknown gunmen shot and killed a local artist in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state on Tuesday night.

Justine Towiller, eyewitnesses said, was killed in Nzara county. No arrests have so far been made.

[He] was in his room in Nzara town with his girlfriend and suddenly a group of armed people surrounded his house and start calling him to come out, but he refused and started screaming and calling for help, eyewitnesses said.

The deceased’s girlfriend (names withheld), claimed the unknown attackers entered the house, removed the local artist from under the bed and murdered him in cold blood.

Nzara county chief inspector, Chol Kut Muga condemned the killing, which he said was the first of its kind in the area.

An investigation has been launched into the killing of late Towiller, although no arrest has been made yet, he added.

The chairperson of local artists in the state, Wagon J. S condemned the calling of his colleague, urging the authority to investigate the case and bring the culprits to book.

The singer’s killing, residents said, has created fear among communities in the county with many linking his death to some of the messages portrayed in songs he released.

via ST