A police officer has been detained by his colleagues from the Directorate Criminal Investigations (DCI) after allegedly shooting a businessman without probable cause.
The police officer attached to Huhoini Station in Tetu, Nyeri County on Tuesday, September 5, shot the man dead, less than 24 hours after engaging in a disagreement.
The police officer had reportedly picked quarrels with the local businessman on Monday, September 4, over issues which were not immediately revealed to the public.
Witnesses claimed that the initial disagreement went without major fight, save for verbal exchanges at the businessman's premises.
The police officer, however, seemed to have left the scene without clearing the matter in his heart and mind.
According to reports, the officer signed in his rifle at the station, then returned to the businessman's premises and resumed the altercation.
According to eyewitnesses, the police officer had an agitation with the businessman before cocking up his gun and shooting him point blank as people watched.
He then fled the scene for fear of being lynched by an angry mob baying for his blood as other residents attended to the businessman.
In response, his colleagues went to the scene and immediately initiated search operation. He was later arrested and the gun which was used in the shooting recovered.
DCI officers then secured the crime scene and began gathering evidence, including witness statements and physical evidence such as the bullet cartridge.
The investigators intend to subject the recovered firearm to ballistic examination in order to determine whether it was the same firearm that was issued to the police officer.
The suspect will be processed and arraigned in court within twenty-four hours. It is possible that the investigators will review evidence and ask the court to grant them more time in order to complete investigations.
The body of the deceased was taken to Nyeri County Mortuary where it was preserved awaiting autopsy by government pathologists.
