Police yesterday between 11:00 hours and 12:30 hours, along Zambezi Road in Lusaka’s Ngwerere Farms area gunned down four suspected criminals with one being identified as Gift Musonda of Matero.
According to a statement by Police Public Relations officer Rae Hamoonga, Gift Musonda of Matero has been identified as a notorious individual on the list of most wanted criminals for offenses including Aggravated Robbery, theft from Motor Vehicles, and theft from persons and was among the fatally wounded.
And Mr. Hamoonga indicated that the identities of the other three deceased individuals, estimated to be aged between 20 and 30, are yet to be determined.
Mr. Hamoonga said the Lusaka Division Scorpion Team was responding to the growing concerns from the public regarding motor vehicle break-ins at shopping malls across Lusaka.
The police Public relations officer explained that the team, patrolling the Fox dale Mall area along Zambezi Road, encountered a suspicious purple Toyota Ractis with double number plates (AJE 2806 covering the original one) carrying four male occupants.
Mr. Hamoonga further explained that officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the occupants evaded the police.
He said during the chase, another white Mark X, with an unknown number plate, sped away.
Mr. Hamoonga said the Scorpion Team prioritized pursuing the purple Ractis.
And Mr. Hamoonga said in the pursuit along Zambezi Road, officers fired several warning shots to halt the motor vehicle.
He said the car eventually stopped near Ngwerere farms, and the occupants fled into a nearby farm.
He affirmed that in the ensuing confrontation, four criminals were fatally wounded.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hamoonga disclosed that upon searching the vehicle, the following items were recovered:
1. A green backpack with a pair of number plates (AFB 3281).
2. 2 empty bottles of benylin.
3. A packet of disposable medical face masks.
4. A sachet of suspected marijuana.
5. 2 screwdrivers.
6. A broken car key.
7. A black toy pistol.
8. 2 metal T-bars.
9. An iron bar.
10. One industrial cutter.
Mr. Hamoonga said the injured criminals were immediately transported to the University Teaching Hospital, where they were pronounced dead upon arrival.
The police Public relations officer said the bodies have been deposited in the mortuary, awaiting identification, postmortem examinations, and subsequent burial arrangements.
He said the vehicle, used by the now-deceased criminals, has been secured and is currently parked at the Lusaka Division Headquarters.
Mr. Hamoonga added that an inquiry file has been opened to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
