C 5 police mistakenly shoots school girl
A 17 year year old Grade nine pupil at Chipata Day Secondary School is nursing gunshot wounds at Chipata Central Hospital after being shot at by anti-robbery police, commonly known as C5 police officers who were pursuing a murder suspect of a mobile booth operator.
Eastern Province acting police commanding officer Davies Simwanza has confirmed the incident to Breeze FM news.
Mr Simwanza disclosed that while the police officers were pursuing a murder suspect around Anoya Zulu Secondary School area, they discharged the firearm and unfortunately, the bullet bounced back and hit Gwen Goma in the left thigh.
He said the victim has been admitted at Chipata Central Hospital while the murder suspect has been arrested and that he is in police custody.
Mr Simwanza says investigations are still underway.
Meanwhile, uncle to the victim Daniel Elisha Banda narrated the ordeal to journalists this morning.
He says the family was informed of the incident yesterday around 17:00 hours, adding that eye witnesses reported that before the alleged stray bullet hit the girl, police officers were shooting indiscriminately in the air.
Mr Banda explained that police officers are entrusted to protect the public, therefore there is need for officers on duty to handle weapons with responsibility.
Mr Banda further says the family is determined to see the matter reach a satisfying conclusion and ensure that the police officers involved are taken to book, to deter would be offenders.
Source: Breeze FM radio