POLICE last night fought running battles with residents of Kamanga compound in Chelstone after officers who went to close a night club which was operating after the stipulated hours shot a 17 year old boy in the process.
The development angered the residents who went and attacked a local police post and smashed vehicles and injured some officers.
According to eye witnesses who live in the same community, the riot which started around 01:00 hours continued until this morning adding that police officers were discharging teagass canisters choking household occupants and detained anyone they found.
And Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo has confirmed in a statement to Mwebantu and said the confusion started when the night club operators resisted to have their business closed by police.
“As they tried to close the premises, patrons rose against the officers and during the process of the confusion, a firearm went off and shot Timothy Zulu aged 17 years of Kamanga Compound who has died,” Katongo said.
She said the shooting sparked riots in which Kamanga Police post and two police motor vehicles got damaged while one officer who was among the officers who went to pick the body of the victim has been injured.
Katongo said calm has restored and officers are on the ground keeping vigil.
She has sinced appealed to members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue in the matter.
