INVESTIGATIONS ON SHOOTING TAKING PLACE

File image of RAMSI soldiers patrolling the streets of Honiara, Solomon Islands. Pic: Supplied

 Editor's Desk

The Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has announced that an investigation is being conducted into the shooting death at Titige by two members of the Tongan contingent of the military component RAMSI during which a former police officer died and another was admitted at the National Referral Hospital early yesterday morning.

During a press conference Mr. Marshall said that it was in the early hours of yesterday morning the police received a phone call to report that a fight involving about fifty people was taking place between the Lengakiki Ridge and Titige and was getting out of hand.

Mr. Marshall said that when police and military back up arrived at the site the three police truck were stoned with rocks by the two disputing parties. He said it was estimated that about fifty (50) civilians were involved in the incident.

Police Commissioner said when situation got worse the officers retreated from the site but the rocks kept coming and badly damaged their trucks, shield and helmets.

He said that it was at that point that the duo Tongan military officers appeared to have discharged their weapons killing one male in his thirties and another who was later admitted to the NRH.

Post mortem examinations conducted by Doctor Rougher, a local doctor confirmed that the deceased died of bullet wounds.

According to Commissioner of Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Peter Marshall, the deceased was in his thirties (30s) came from Guadalcanal and was pronounced dead on arrival at the National Referral Hospital. The other person who sustained gun wound was also from Guadalcanal.

He said the incident occurred following consumption of alcohol, fighting, disorderly behavior and rock throwing, thus the situation went out of control.

Mr. Marshall said that the investigations were being initiated and the outcome of the investigations would take some time to complete and that discussions would also take place between the Solomon Islands government and Tongan Government in terms of the Facilitation Act which facilitates RAMSI’s operations in Solomon Islands.

He said that the Attorney General of the Solomon Islands would be dealing with the matter with his Tongan counter-part.
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