Police in Mombasa have shot dead a man they claim had tried to prevent law enforcers from arresting a suspected criminal.
Three others who were at the scene of the confrontation after being felled by stray b bullets fired by the police. The incident happened in Changamwe.
Changamwe police chief Peter Omwana told journalists that the man who died was among a group of youth who had tried to prevent them from arresting the suspected thug.
The suspected thug, according to Omwana had hidden in a house and police's attempt to break into the house was met by resistance from a crowed prompting police to open fire.
One of the cops said he they were forced to shoot because the crowd had turned violent as they sought to free the suspect.
The three who sustained bullet injuries were admitted to the Coast Provincial General Hospital and are receiving treatment.
"It was difficult to establish who was innocent and who was criminal, police had to shoot to disperse the crowd," Omwana said.
Family members of the unidentified man who died in the process have demanded to know why their kin had to die. They want police officers who opened fire to be arrested and charged.
Mombasa has of late been insecure as police pursue criminal gangs terrorizing residents and business owners.