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A 35-year-old man was fatally shot in Barlastone, Matero early Friday morning after he allegedly attacked police officers with a machete and a pick-mattock, the Zambia Police Service has confirmed.
Police Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, said the incident occurred at about 05:00 hours when officers responded to reports of malicious damage to property and threatening violence at the residence of Felix Sakashashi.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Chilabi said the first report was received between 03:00 hours and 04:00 hours.
He said a complainant alleged that Sakashashi damaged the windscreen of a Toyota Corolla, registration number AID 5082, following a dispute with a taxi driver over an unpaid fare.
In a separate report, a 50-year-old female relative told police that Sakashashi had damaged several windowpanes at her home and threatened to kill her while armed with a machete.
Police officers were then dispatched to Sakashashi’s residence in Barlastone to follow up on both complaints.
Chilabi said upon arrival, Sakashashi emerged from the house armed with a pick-mattock and a machete and immediately advanced towards the officers.
“The suspect struck one of the officers on the right arm with the machete, causing an injury. As he attempted to strike the officer again, another police officer discharged a firearm in response to the immediate threat, fatally wounding Sakashashi,” he said.
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Chilabi stated that the injured officer was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged, police said.
Sakashashi was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“His body has since been deposited at the UTH Mortuary pending a post-mortem examination,” he said.
Police recovered several items from the scene, including a pick-mattock, a machete, a knife, and four screwdrivers.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased had prior convictions for malicious damage to property, assault occasioning bodily harm, and threatening violence.
An inquiry file has been opened to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Chilabi urged members of the public to remain calm as investigations continued, and to report any criminal activity to the nearest police station.
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