Gun shots
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NEWS- The Police in Wandegeya have launched a search for two assailants who shot dead an ex-convict of phone snatching in Sebina zone-Kalerwe, a neighborhood in Kampala’s Kawempe Division.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango has confirmed that Simon Otim Peter, a 44-year-old former convict of phone snatching, was fatally shot at his home around 11:00 pm last night, and an investigation is underway.

According to reports, two unknown armed men broke into Otim’s residence and found him sitting in the living room with his wife, daughter, and a guest. The assailants then opened fire, shooting Otim in the chest, and also stabbed him multiple times in the stomach and neck area.

The swift response from neighbors, who were alerted by the commotion, saved the lives of Otim’s family and the visitor. According to Patrick Onyango, the spokesperson, the assailants took advantage of the brief delay and escaped before the neighbors could apprehend them.

“The wife and the daughter took off in the bedroom where they closed themselves while screaming and alarming for help. Assailants pursued them, attempted to gain entry by pushing the door while threatening them to harm them too.They were unsuccessful and fled the scene unidentified.” Onyango said.

Despite the swift response from neighbors, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Police investigators have since combed the crime scene, recovering key evidence such as bullets and cartridges, as they work to piece together the events leading up to the fatal attack.

Police preliminary findings have indicated that Simon Otim Peter’s troubled past, marked by convictions for robberies and housebreakings in Kampala, may have ultimately led to his murder.

“After being released from Luzira prison after serving his time, we got information that he has allegedly continued down a criminal path, possibly even double-crossing his former associates, which could have sparked a deadly vengeance against him.” One of the detectives conducting Investigation has said.

According to the crime report 2023 that was released by Criminal Investigations, a total of 330 persons were shot dead, with the majority being men with 298 cases. This was a 7.5 percent rise compared to statistics in 2022, despite several interventions by the government to curb shootings.