A young man was killed and a Hai'a member wounded in the chest in a shooting incident here Tuesday. This is the second major incident in the space of a week in Tabuk involving members of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also known as the Hai'a. Earlier this month, Hai'a members were accused of beating a woman and failing to hand her over to the police as required by law. In the murder case, details have emerged that show Hai'a staffers had laid a trap for the young man because he had allegedly been sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy. The young man was killed by the father of the child, who had accompanied the Hai'a staff on the case. A Hai'a member was shot in the chest when he allegedly tried to stop the father from shooting the young man. The Hai'a member was taken to hospital. Brigadier Saleh Al-Harbi, spokesman of the Tabuk Police, said the incident resulted from a dispute between two persons which led to the death of one of them. A Hai'a staffer was injured, he confirmed. The case has been referred to the relevant authorities, he said. Commenting on the incident at a press conference, Prince Fahd Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Tabuk, said the matter is being investigated. “The murderer is being held by the security authorities. Justice will take its course. Investigations are being carried out,” he said. Prince Fahd said that the death of a citizen will not go unpunished. “If the matter necessitates suspending a public servant linked to the incident, then he will be suspended.” He urged all bodies to be cautious and reminded them that every accuser is innocent until proven guilty. “It is unacceptable to accuse any individual or agency without concrete evidence,” he said. He said the government will not hide any facts from citizens. He also called on citizens to help the press in reporting the facts. He also praised the efforts of the Hai'a. “We have great confidence in the Hai'a. They are capable of dealing with any mistake or violation and prevent any repeat in the future.”
