Grocery store debt dispute ends in fatal shooting in Qibla district

BASRA — A dispute over an outstanding debt at a grocery store in Basra’s Qibla district escalated into a fatal shooting on Friday night, according to local security sources.

The incident began as a confrontation between the store owner and a family while they were shopping. The argument turned physical before escalating into gunfire.

“The conflict in the Qibla area resulted in the death of the family’s son-in-law, 35, who was visiting his in-laws,” a security source told 964media. The store owner was injured and taken to the educational hospital, while the deceased was transported to the forensic department at the Republican Hospital.

Security forces say they intervened quickly to prevent the situation from escalating into a tribal conflict between the involved parties.

The exact amount of money that sparked the argument remains unreported but is believed to have been a small figure.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances that led to the violence and are urging the community to resolve disputes peacefully.