counterkilling

English

Etymology

From counter- +‎ killing.

Noun

counterkilling (plural counterkillings)

1. A killing carried out in response to another killing.
   • 2009 April 22, Jeffrey Gettleman, “Kenyan Town Strikes Back Against Its Tormenters”, in New York Times‎:

     The mob pummeled the men suspected of being thugs, and this normally tranquil spot exploded into a melee of killings and counterkillings that left nearly 30 people dead.