A routine firearm safety check turned into a tragedy after a police trainer allegedly opened fire with an assault rifle, killing a fellow officer and injuring three others at the Police Training School in Limbe, Blantyre.
The officer who died has been independently identified as Sergeant Chiyembekezo Misinde, 41, who was hit by multiple bullets during preparations for a tactical training exercise.
We have also established that Sergeant Laston Chabwera, Sergeant Kintalo Kadambo and civilian police employee Davis Denis, were injured and rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital for treatment.
According to National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo, the team had travelled from Zomba and stopped at the Limbe Police Training School before proceeding to the Nkula firing range for tactical training.
It is reported that Sergeant Kadambo allegedly failed to remove a magazine loaded with 20 rounds from an R4 rifle. The weapon was also reportedly left on automatic firing mode, causing it to discharge some rounds in a single burst.
“As they were preparing to board the vehicle, one of the trainers was checking his firearm to ensure it was safe. Unfortunately, he accidentally discharged the weapon, shooting colleagues who were standing nearby,” said Chimtembo.
Misinde sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at Chiradzulu District Hospital.
Chimtembo said investigators are now working to establish exactly what caused the fatal discharge.
The officer who died has been independently identified as Sergeant Chiyembekezo Misinde, 41, who was hit by multiple bullets during preparations for a tactical training exercise.
We have also established that Sergeant Laston Chabwera, Sergeant Kintalo Kadambo and civilian police employee Davis Denis, were injured and rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital for treatment.
According to National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo, the team had travelled from Zomba and stopped at the Limbe Police Training School before proceeding to the Nkula firing range for tactical training.
It is reported that Sergeant Kadambo allegedly failed to remove a magazine loaded with 20 rounds from an R4 rifle. The weapon was also reportedly left on automatic firing mode, causing it to discharge some rounds in a single burst.
“As they were preparing to board the vehicle, one of the trainers was checking his firearm to ensure it was safe. Unfortunately, he accidentally discharged the weapon, shooting colleagues who were standing nearby,” said Chimtembo.
Misinde sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at Chiradzulu District Hospital.
Chimtembo said investigators are now working to establish exactly what caused the fatal discharge.
