Police in Turaib in the southern Asir region have arrested a man who killed his mother within three hours of the crime being committed, sabq.org reported Sunday quoting Brig. Abdullah Al-Shaathan, Asir police spokesman.

He said police launched a manhunt for the criminal soon after receiving word of the murder of the 56-year-old woman.

“The woman’s son, aged 30, has acknowledged that he shot her dead,” he said.

Al-Shaathan said an investigation has been launched to ascertain the motive behind the murder, adding that the killer had a criminal history.

According to witnesses, the man shot his mother three times before running away from the scene. People in the village were shocked to hear the sad news, as the woman was well-known for her charitable activities.

Bloggers who commented on the news said the killer might be a drug addict and cautioned families to keep a watch on their children to make sure they do not hang out with bad company.

People have expressed their dismay over such crimes happening during the holy month of Ramadan. “Mothers have a special place in our families,” said one blogger.

“The killing of mothers shows a decline in moral values within society,” said one blogger, who identified himself as Mansura.