Windhoek
Four people were struck by stray pellets fired from a shotgun to bring under control an anarchist in the open market in Okuryangava yesterday afternoon, when a security guard tried to subdue the man who purposefully went about knocking down vendors’ goods.
While the security guard was firing warning shots at the troublemaker the suspect reportedly pushed him, and some pellets struck vendors and passers-by in the surrounding area.
According to the City Police Senior Superintendent Gerry Shikesho, the people were treated on the scene and were not admitted to hospital because their injuries were superficial.
“The good thing is no one sustained life-threatening injuries,” he remarked.
Shikesho told New Era that an unidentified man believed to be in his 30s was causing trouble at Tukondjeni open market in Okuryangava, also known as Stop and Shop, yesterday afternoon between 16h00 and 17h00.
“He was knocking the vendors’ goods onto the ground. People assumed he was under the influence of alcohol or other substances as it was uncommon behaviour,” said Shikesho, adding that the man behaved as if he was mad.
A security guard on duty approached the man and told him that what he was doing was not right, but he then attacked the security guard.
Shikesho said the guard took out his shotgun and fired some shots into the air to subdue the man. “In the process the man pushed the guard and the pellets went astray hitting four people,” Shikesho remarked. The man was not hit.
“It was chaotic. It was bad … imagine hearing a gunshot; people were running away and the goods fell on the ground but we are pleased people worked together with the police and responded to our instructions. No looting took place and the situation was brought under control,” Shikesho confirmed.
He said the suspect was arrested and will possibly face a charge of being a public nuisance. Shikesho added that a case of culpable homicide could be opened against the guard, but it has to be determined if it was justifiable to fire shots or not.