Police Officer Dies by Suicide at Police Headquarters

A 53-year-old Assistant Superintendent has died after shooting himself at the Zambia Police Service Headquarters in Lusaka.

Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Timothy Malumo says the deceased, identified as Daniel Banda, was attached to the Ballistics Unit.

Mr. Malumo says Banda locked himself in his office around 17:00 hours yesterday, while armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol, and threatened to take his own life.

He says negotiations with Banda continued for about three hours, but were unsuccessful.

Mr. Malumo says at around 20:45 hours, Banda discharged the pistol and shot himself in the head.

His body has since been deposited at the University Teaching Hospital Mortuary, awaiting postmortem.

Mr. Malumo says investigations have been instituted into the incident, with further details expected in due course.