Two siblings are receiving treatment at the Akatsi Municipal Hospital after sustaining gunshot and related injuries during an altercation with a landlord at Deti in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region.

The suspect, popularly known as Mensah, allegedly pulled out a firearm during the confrontation and shot Mr James Kpanda, 45, in the knee.

Jonathan Kpanda, his younger brother, believed to be in his 30s, also sustained a severe eye injury during the melee.

The incident triggered anger among some youth in the community, who reportedly stormed the suspect’s residence and set ablaze a Benz private vehicle and three motorbikes, including a jungle motorbike.

The irate youth later set the suspect’s residence on fire, destroying several properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis.

Personnel of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service intervened to restore calm and prevent further escalation of the situation.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at about 0930 hours.

Mr Mawuli Dakpata, a mason who was working at the suspect’s residence at the time, told the Ghana News Agency that he was constructing a wall intended for flower decoration in front of the house when the injured brothers approached to enquire about the project.

“I realised the engagement was getting heated at a point while I was working for the suspect,” he said.

Mr Dakpata said the landlord, in an attempt to flee the scene with his private Benz vehicle, was prevented from doing so by a motorbike parked behind the car.

“He abandoned the car after sensing danger and escaped by scaling the wall,” he added.

Eyewitnesses said some agitated youth, in reaction to the incident, allegedly set the entire property ablaze.

Superintendent Ernest Kodjo Dokounon, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, rushed to the scene with his men to help restore calm.

He appealed to residents to report violent incidents and criminal activities to the police for swift action rather than taking the law into their own hands.

Superintendent Dokounon also urged the public to collaborate with the police in maintaining peace and security in the area.

The suspect is currently in police custody at an undisclosed location, while investigations are ongoing.

Akatsi has in previous years witnessed violent disturbances that resulted in the deaths of some youth.

Calm was gradually being restored when the GNA visited the scene.