The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Fresh details have surfaced surrounding the fatal shooting of a police officer during an attempted robbery in Thika Town, Kiambu County.
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Constable Bernard Koome, a member of the Special Patrol and Investigation Unit (Spiv), was gunned down on Wednesday afternoon during an operation in the Kianjau area around 4 p.m.
Koome, part of an undercover team that monitors criminal activity in urban areas, was with his fellow officers in the Cravers area when they spotted a suspicious motorcycle. After intercepting it, the rider suddenly abandoned the bike and fled on foot.
As the officers pursued the man, he appeared to surrender by kneeling. But just as the officers approached, the suspect unexpectedly drew a firearm and began shooting wildly. In the chaos, Koome was shot in the neck and collapsed as the suspect fled on foot.
Witnesses said the gunman continued firing into the air while making his escape. One of Koome’s unarmed colleagues picked up his pistol and briefly pursued the suspect, who managed to get away after hijacking a motorcycle from a bodaboda rider carrying a passenger.
A video captured during the incident shows the suspect pointing a gun at the rider, forcing him to dismount before taking off with the motorbike.
Koome was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, according to police.
Despite an intensive police operation in the area, the suspect remains at large. Officers recovered two 9mm spent cartridges at the scene, along with a Czeska pistol magazine loaded with seven rounds, which is believed to have belonged to the gunman.
The bullets have been sent for ballistic testing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities believe the suspect is part of a criminal group that has been troubling the area, which has seen a recent surge in criminal activity. A manhunt is underway as police continue efforts to track him down.
