Hüseyin Tüccar / Bursa, June 1 () - Three gunmen opened fire on a street wedding held by members of the Roma community in the western province of Bursa, leaving three people dead and six others injured.

Among the dead was Efkan Özçimen, the head of the Roma Associations Federation and a former candidate nominee for the Justice and Development Party (AKP). A woman and child were also among the dead. The six injured are receiving treatment in local hospitals.

Three gunmen opened fire at a wedding ceremony held by families from the Roma community in Bursa’s Hacivat neighborhood late May 31, after the gunmen arrived at the event in two cars.

The attendees of the ceremony ran in panic as nine people were wounded in the armed attack. All casualties were taken to the Şevket Yılmaz Education and Research Hospital, Muradiye and Çekirge state hospitals, and one private hospital.

However, Özçimen, along with the woman and child, could not be saved.

Police forces detained two people, who allegedly committed the assault, hidden in a bush alongside a stream bed in the Doğancılar neighborhood and confiscated their weapons. The other suspect reportedly ran away and is being sought by the police.

The police seized about 100 cartridges while searching the area and took security measures around the two homes purportedly belonging to the assailants.

Özçimen previously told  during the May 5 Hıdırellez celebrations (a festive event marking the beginning of the summer) he would pray for living together in peace and solidarity, adding he had always supported peace, not violence.

Özçimen was nominated for candidate from the AKP in both 2011 and this year’s June 7 election, but not listed as deputy candidate.

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