LUCKNOW — A birthday celebration in Lucknow’s Krishna Nagar area turned into a scene of horror on Monday evening, March 2, 2026, when a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot during a gathering at a residence in the LDA Colony. The victim, identified as Unais Khan, a Class 7 student and the captain of the football team at Stella Maris School, was rushed to Lokbandhu Hospital after the incident but was tragically declared dead upon arrival by the medical staff.
According to preliminary police investigations, the shooting occurred around 6:40 PM while Unais was attending the birthday party of his friend, Navneet Tripathi. Reports suggest that the 13-year-old host allegedly retrieved his father’s licensed revolver from a parked vehicle outside the house to film videos for social media. The firearm reportedly discharged accidentally, with the bullet striking Unais just above his left eye. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Lucknow South) Nipun Agarwal confirmed that the weapon has been seized and three minors present at the scene have been taken into custody for questioning as part of the ongoing probe.
The family of the deceased has raised serious allegations, contesting the police’s initial “accidental firing” theory. Unais’s father, Zameer Khan, and his uncle have claimed that the boy was shot in the middle of his forehead and alleged that an adult may have been involved in the shooting. The family noted that Unais, who was observing a fast (roza) at the time, had been reluctant to attend the party but eventually went after persistent requests from his friends. “We were told he could break his fast there, and then we received a call that he had been shot,” his uncle told reporters, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.
Lucknow police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the LDA Colony residence and the surrounding area to reconstruct the sequence of events. While a case has been registered based on the formal complaint filed by the victim’s family, the authorities are also investigating potential negligence regarding the storage of the licensed firearm. The sudden death of the young athlete has sent shockwaves through the local community and his school, as the investigation continues to determine whether the discharge was a tragic accident or a deliberate act.
