The scene of crime. The deceased’s body was taken the morgue at Coast Provincial General Hospital pending investigations. (Photo/capitalfm.co.ke)
A 35-year-old man was shot dead by police under unclear circumstances on Tuesday evening. According to The Star, police were pursuing a matatu near Makupa area in Mombasa before they accidentally shot the man, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, dead.
Confirming the tragic incident, Changamwe OCPD Peter Omanwa said that the driver of the vehicle refused to stop after being flagged at one of the roadblocks forcing police to pursue him. The man was shot dead after security officers opened fire in a bid to stop the car. The driver escaped after leaving the car near the roadblock after he was followed by police.
"The driver abandoned the vehicle a few metres from the roadblock and fled," said Omanwa, as quoted by the local daily.
An officer, who spoke on anonymity, said that the security officers would have circulated details of the vehicle rather than opening fire leading to the death of an innocent citizen.
The source also said that the officers had an option of deflating the tyres of the vehicle. The body of the deceased was transferred to the morgue at Coast Provincial General Hospital pending investigations.