A National Police Reservist (NPR) officer was arrested after allegedly shooting dead a 50-year-old man following an argument at Mitamisyi Market in Kyuso Sub-County, Kitui County.
The incident happened on Tuesday evening at Mitamisyi Centre, police said.
Police said the deceased, John Muteti Kioko, was found lying on the ground with a single gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. The bullet entered through the left lower stomach and exited through the right buttock.
Investigations established that Kioko had earlier been involved in an argument with the suspect.
The dispute escalated after Kioko allegedly slapped the NPR and drew a penknife while threatening to stab him.
The NPR then reportedly left for his house, about 70 metres from the scene, picked up a G3 rifle officially issued to him for official duties and returned to the market, where he allegedly shot Kioko.
The officer fled towards Ngomeni Township after the shooting but was later arrested by police acting on a tip-off.
At the time of his arrest, the NPR was allegedly carrying the G3 rifle with a magazine containing 19 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition.
A second magazine containing 20 rounds was recovered from his house in Mitamisyi.
Police processed and documented the scene, recovering one spent cartridge and the penknife allegedly carried by the deceased.
The exhibits were taken into police custody while the suspect was detained at Ngomeni Police Station pending arraignment in court.
Kioko’s body was moved to the Kyuso Sub-County Level Four Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.
Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Elsewhere, a 49-year-old man died after he was allegedly assaulted by two people who suspected him of stealing 2kg of beans in Imenti East, Meru County.
Peter Kinyua was reportedly attacked at Kathitha village in Mukua Sub-location, Mulathankari Location.
Police said Kinyua had sustained injuries to his back, ribs and upper body following the alleged assault.
He later succumbed to his injuries.
The scene was processed and documented by DCI officers before Kinyua’s body was moved to the mortuary at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.
Police identified the alleged attackers and said investigations into the incident were ongoing.
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