21-Year-Old Suspect Arrested After Shooting Incident in Kisumu CBD

KISUMU, Kenya — A 21-year-old man has been arrested following a dramatic shooting incident in Kisumu’s Central Business District that left residents and online users shocked.

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The suspect opened fire on police officers who were conducting routine patrols in the city center on Monday, according to Kisumu Central Police Deputy Commissioner Bakari Mwanauli.

How the Incident Unfolded

The drama began when officers on patrol noticed the young man in the company of two other unidentified individuals carrying suspicious-looking bags along Otieno Oyoo Street near Patel Samaj Temple.

“Once the suspect noticed the officers, he is said to have drawn a gun from his bag and begun engaging officers in an exchange,” Deputy Commissioner Mwanauli stated.

The suspect and his two companions allegedly opened fire as police attempted to approach them, sparking a tense standoff in the busy commercial district.

Temple Siege and Robbery

After the initial exchange of gunfire, the armed suspect stormed into the grounds of Patel Samaj Temple, where he confronted a security guard.

The assailant robbed the temple guard of his smartphone at gunpoint before barricading himself inside the compound. He continued firing shots from windows within the temple grounds, creating panic among nearby residents and business operators.

Swift Police Response and Recovery

Officers from Lakeside Police Station responded quickly to the incident and managed to subdue the situation after a tense standoff.

The suspect was successfully apprehended and taken into custody. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle from the scene, raising serious questions about how the young man obtained the military-grade weapon.

The two individuals who were with him at the time of the incident remain at large, and police have launched a manhunt to track them down.

Court Appearance

The suspect is scheduled to be arraigned in court today to face charges related to the incident. The motive behind the attack remains unknown as investigations continue.

No casualties have been reported from the shooting, though authorities are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including the source of the firearm and the identities of the suspect’s accomplices.

Police have urged members of the public with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the two other suspects to come forward and assist with investigations.