A suspect sustained gunshot wounds while six others escaped after the owner of the house they broke into opened fire on them using a short gun.
The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the Lilayi area, where residents are now calling for increased security measures to be put in place to deter criminals from targeting their homes.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspects entered the property by cutting through the electric fence and proceeded to ransack the house, stealing valuable items and causing damage to the property. The homeowner, who was inside the house at the time, heard the commotion and grabbed his shotgun, firing a warning shot to deter the suspects.
When the suspects continued to advance, the homeowner fired again, striking one of the suspects and causing the rest to flee the scene. Police were alerted to the incident and arrived on the scene shortly after, taking the injured suspect into custody and launching a manhunt for the remaining suspects.
Speaking to reporters, Deputy Police Spokesperson Danny Mwale condemned the actions of the suspects and reiterated the importance of maintaining security measures, such as electric fences and security cameras, to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Meanwhile, the injured suspect, John Mwelwa, is being treated at the University Teaching Hospitals, where he is said to be in a stable condition. Mwelwa’s family has since come forward, expressing their shock and disbelief at his involvement in such criminal activities.
“He’s always been a good boy,” said Mwelwa’s mother, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We never imagined he could be involved in something like this. We’re praying for his speedy recovery and hoping that he will learn from his mistakes.”
The incident has sparked a wider conversation around crime and safety in the Lilayi area, with residents calling for more police patrols and increased community vigilance to deter criminal activity.
In a separate incident, police have detained five suspects for malicious damage to property involving a minibus belonging to Capital Bus Services. The suspects, who are alleged to have caused damage to the windows of the bus after a failed attempt to extort money from the conductor, are currently in police custody awaiting trial.
The incidents serve as a reminder to the public to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect themselves and their property from criminal activity. It is hoped that increased community collaboration and police intervention will help to reduce crime in the area and create a safer and more secure environment for residents.
These burglars are hardened criminals or zombies I mean who advances forward when they hear the sound of a shotgun not even trained soldiers would make a direct advance to it. Good thing he got one of them!!
LT what is a Short gun? Its a Shotgun
And what is a shotgun?
We’re living in bad times. Each day our neighborhood is threatened with a break-in. No police in sight. Well done to the gentleman.
Let the same mwelwa give up the names and addresses of those who escaped so that the whole gang can be nabbed and put behind bars.
Listen to our Police force
“reiterated the importance of maintaining security measures, such as electric fences and security cameras, to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future”
Does he know we the taxpayers pay for Police to operate in our residences? Why is he urging us to make more payments buying electric fences and security cameras. Cameras dont prevent burglaries! It is Police operations that prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.