Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The famous riddle ends in murder between friends

A man in Indonesia allegedly shot his friend to death over the classic dispute: "which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

The suspect, identified by the initials DR, stabbed 47-year-old Kadir Markus, from Muna Regency in Southeastern Sulawesi province, 15 times after they argued over the puzzle on July 24, said investigating officer La Ode Arsangka.

DR invited Markus, who had come to pay off a debt, for a drink and began telling a series of riddles, local media reported. Among other things, he asked who came first "the chicken or the egg", causing a debate.

Markus ran away when the argument began, but DK grabbed a knife, followed him on a bicycle and then on foot before stabbing him several times, police said.

The suspect has been arrested, Tongkuno police chief Iptu Abdul Hasan said.

"The suspect has been charged with murder and faces up to 18 years in prison if convicted," the police chief said.

DK is said to have used a "badik", a traditional knife of the coastal tribes of southern Sulawesi such as the Bugis and Makassarese, to commit the murder.