News / More

Knife-wielding man shot dead outside US embassy in Nairobi

Thursday, 27 October 2016 4:39 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 27 October 2016 5:04 PM ]

Unidentified armed US embassy personnel stand guard and inspect the body of a man who was killed outside the US embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, October 27, 2016. (Photo by AP)

An African man has been shot and killed after he reportedly attacked and injured a police officer outside the US embassy in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

“The man was shot dead after a confrontation with officers guarding the embassy,” a police source said Thursday on condition of anonymity, without specifying the cause of the confrontation.

National police spokesman, George Kinoti, said the man was killed by the police officer in self-defense.

“It was a lone criminal who attacked a police officer,” Kinoti said, adding, “He was armed with a knife.”

Fiona Evans, a US embassy spokeswoman, confirmed there had been a “shooting incident” outside the mission, adding that “no embassy personnel were involved,” without giving further details.

The US embassy in Nairobi is located in a heavily-fortified compound opposite the main UN complex in Gigiri, an upmarket suburb in the city’s north.

The police officer involved in the incident was a member of the paramilitary General Services Unit deployed to guard the embassy.

Kenyan media reported the police officer had been guarding one of the secured entrances to the embassy compound when he was assaulted.

Kinoti described the slain man as a criminal, but refrained from giving any motive for the attack.

He said an investigation has been launched into the shooting.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk