At least one person has been shot dead and several others are injured after a shootout at Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region.

The deceased Richard Asirifi, believed to be 30 years of age, was a part of the entourage of the newly installed chief of Adoagyiri Barima Adu Korkor lll. The information available indicates that Odehye Asirifi is a cousin of Barima Adu Korkor lll.

Reports say supporters of Barima Adu Korkor lll had arrived from Kyebi after the new chief swore the oath of allegiance to the Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin on Tuesday afternoon.

The team was having a procession closer to the Palace of Barima Adu Korkor lll when alleged supporters of a rival chief accosted them in a gun battle.

Richard Asirifi was shot in the chest and died on the spot.

Several people were injured during the incident, including one Daniel Okyere, who is feared to have lost his right eye.

One James Afekye and Emmanuel Adu also sustained varying degrees of injury and are on admission at the Nsawam government hospital.

This is the second person to have been shot and killed in a space of two months in relation to the chieftaincy impasse in Adoagyiri.

State Secretary of the Akyem Abuakwa State Mr. D. M. Ofori Atta told the media that the Nsawam District Police commander can not be exonerated from the clash that resulted in the death of Richard Asirifi and the injury of several others.

He explained that the Nsawam District Police Commander failed to act on reports of threats against members of the Dwumana Royal family, leading to the murder of Odehyee Kwame Sarkodie.

According to D.M. Ofori Atta, the police have since failed to arrest and prosecute the culprit.