A former police officer, who was wanted for several offences, was on Thursday shot dead after allegedly ambushing police officers manning the Tana Bridge in Garissa County.
According to a police report accessed by Kenyans.co.ke, the officers were reportedly targetted by the former cop who walked past the bridge, raising suspicion, especially with him listed as armed and dangerous.
The officers claimed that they ordered the suspect to stop for a routine check, but he declined and proceeded with his journey.
In turn, the officers approached him, demanding he stop and present his identification documents.
However, the former police reportedly turned around, drew a Masai sword, and advanced toward the officers.
One of the officers shot four times in the air to scare him, but he allegedly kept advancing towards them.
In fear for their lives, the officer aimed for the suspect's lower limb while attempting to immobilise him. The bullet, however, hit him slightly above the waist, killing him instantly.
Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO), County Police Commander (CPC) and Crime Scenes and Investigations Officer (CSI), who arrived after the incident, processed and documented the scene.
"The body was transferred to Garissa Morgue pending post-mortem examination. The Masai sword was recovered as an exhibit," read part of the police report.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual was a former police officer accused of committing several offences, including robbery and violence.
In one instance, he was alleged to have robbed a boda boda operator of his motorcycle, grievously assaulted a police officer and dealt with narcotic drugs.
The officers also established that the deceased previously served in Garissa County before his transfer to Western Kenya, where he was reportedly declared a deserter and removed from the service on September 5, 2023.
