Boy shot dead in mistaken identity incident in Samburu
FILE IMAGE OF A POLICE LINE
A 15-year-old boy was shot dead on Friday evening in Loosuk, Samburu County, after he was allegedly mistaken for a security threat by a National Police Reservist (NPR) guarding a private residence.
The incident occurred in the Loosuk area of Samburu Central Sub-County.
According to police, the homeowner was inside his house when he heard a gunshot outside his compound. Concerned by the sound, he contacted the NPR officer assigned to guard his residence to inquire about the situation.
The officer reportedly informed him that he had shot a person who was attempting to climb over the perimeter fence.
When the homeowner rushed outside, he found a teenage boy lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. The victim was later identified as Alex Loosenge, a 15-year-old resident of the area.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the NPR officer, challenged the boy to identify himself after spotting him near the fence. However, when the teenager allegedly failed to respond, the officer suspected he posed a threat and opened fire.
He as rushed to Loosuk Health Centre but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police officers who visited the facility established that the victim had sustained a single gunshot wound that entered through the abdomen and exited through the back.
The NPR officer was immediately arrested, and his G3 rifle, was confiscated.
The firearm was loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition at the time it was recovered.
The body of the deceased was transferred to the Samburu County Referral Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Police have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting as the suspect remains in custody pending further action.
Elsewhere, a man was killed and another robbed of his motorcycle during a violent armed attack that culminated in a gun battle between suspected bandits and police in Migori County on Friday evening.
According to police, the incident occurred at Nyabiora Village in Masangora Sub-location, Bwirege East Location, within Ntimaru Sub-County.
Police responded after receiving reports of sporadic gunfire in the area. A response team rushed to the scene but reportedly came under fire from the attackers upon arrival.
Police returned fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire before the assailants retreated. Authorities established that a 40-year-old man, had been shot in both legs by the attackers before police arrived.
He was rushed to Ntimaru Sub-County Hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries. Investigators also established that another victim, was robbed of his motorcycle, a red TVS Star 100.
The stolen motorcycle was reportedly driven towards Transmara South in Narok County.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the attackers believed to have crossed from Transmara South Sub-County.
During the confrontation, police officers expended a total of 63 rounds of ammunition, including 33 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 10 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition and 20 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 ammunition.
Security officers have intensified patrols in the area as efforts continue to restore normalcy and reassure residents.
The body of the deceased was moved to Wima Mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects as investigations into the attack continue.