QALYUBIYA, Egypt — A father and son were shot with birdshot in Qalyubiya Governorate on Thursday, February 20, 2026, following an altercation stemming from a property dispute, according to reports. The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has prompted calls for the swift arrest of the assailants.
The attack occurred as the father and son were returning home from evening prayers, family members said. They were confronted by a group of individuals who opened fire, injuring both of them. The case underscores the ongoing challenges of local disputes escalating into violence in some parts of Egypt.
According to a brother of the injured man, the shooting was connected to a disagreement between the man’s wife and the attackers over a house in the village of Basus, within the Qanater El-Khayriya district. Al-Masry Al-Youm reports that the brother stated the attackers had previously forced the family to depart their home due to the ongoing conflict.
“‘The boy is with me,’” the father reportedly pleaded in the circulating video, as he and his five-year-old son were attacked. The assailants allegedly fired shotguns at the pair before fleeing the scene.
The injured father and son were transported to Nasser Hospital for treatment. The father sustained shotgun wounds to his body, while the son was hit in the foot, El Balad reported.
Family members have identified the attackers as individuals with a history of criminal activity and a reputation for bullying within the village, according to Cairo24. Authorities have not yet released information regarding any arrests or ongoing investigations.
An uncle of the child victim expressed his anguish, stating, “I just want my nephew to be able to stand again,” Al-Masry Al-Youm reported. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many demanding justice for the victims.
