A 20-year-old man was shot dead after he allegedly exchanged fire with police officers who were pursuing a group suspected of stealing household items from a hotel in Nairobi’s Industrial Area.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning near Water Plaza along Dunga Road in Makadara Sub-County, police said.
A pistol was found on the suspect, police said.
Police said the incident began when a police officer, attached to the Special Guard Branch at Shauri Moyo, spotted eight people carrying household items while on duty at Water Plaza.
The officer reportedly challenged the group to stop, but they fled towards Commercial Street, prompting him to pursue them.
According to police, one of the suspects drew a pistol and fired at the pursuing officers, who returned fire, injuring the suspect.
The suspect, identified as Victor Okello, 20, was found with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Police said the items the group was carrying had allegedly been stolen from a nearby hotel.
A second suspect, was arrested and escorted to Industrial Area Police Station. Two large sufurias were recovered from him, police said.
Police also recovered a Gen 5 pistol bearing, a magazine containing 12 rounds of live ammunition, one spent cartridge and a pistol holster at the scene.
The scene was processed and documented by Crime Scene Investigation officers from Makadara before the injured suspect was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.
However, Okello was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital after succumbing to his gunshot injuries.
His body was moved to the City Mortuary pending autopsy.
Witnesses described the shooting as dramatic adding it caused panic among locals.
Police said they were investigating the incident.
Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamud said they have intensified operations in the city to address cases of armed robberies.
This has led to the arrest of dozens of suspects in the past months. Their cases are pending in courts while others are still under probe, police said.
The most notorious robberies involve use of motorbikes.
Police have been conducting operations targeting the riders to ensure they are compliant in many ways.
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