A Witness To Massacre In Nepal Tells Gory Details
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By Barry Bearak
June 8, 2001
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A survivor of Nepal's palace massacre today gave the first witness's account of the royal blood bath, describing how Crown Prince Dipendra, falling-down drunk, nevertheless managed to navigate his way around a dining hall, shooting family members as he tottered.
''What motivated him to do this, I'm not sure, but it was the then-Crown Prince Dipendra who committed the murder,'' said Dr. Rajiv Shahi, the son-in-law of the youngest brother of the slain King Birendra.
The first-hand description of last Friday's killings was provided at a news conference, and it came with gory details. Dipendra gunned down his father first, then shot others, some repeatedly at point-blank range, according to the doctor.
''About 9 p.m. I heard a burst of gunfire,'' said Dr. Shahi, who serves in the army. ''I thought it was somebody playing a prank. There was shouting and I heard someone say 'His Majesty has been shot.'
