Ethiopia: Police officer kills 14 civilians

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 14, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – An Ethiopian federal policeman shot dead 14 innocent people in the northern west city of Bahirdar, a regional police source told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

Amhara regional police commissioner, Mulgeta Worku, said the shooter randomly opened fire on Sunday evening at around 9pm local time against residents of Abay Mado vicinity and against passers by.

The dead include children, women and elderly.

The motive behind the killings is not yet clear however police said a thorough investigation is underway and details will be made public soon.

The incident took place on the shores of Lake Tana. The gunman died after he threw himself off a bridge over the Blue Nile River after he was chased by security forces.

The body of the assailant was recovered on Tuesday.

The bodies of the 14 victims have been put to rest at Debre-Abay, Saint Gebriel Church, in the presence of Amhara regional chief Ayalew Gobeze and other government officials.

While calling the slaughter “cruel, outrageous and unacceptable” Ethiopian prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, on Monday urged the concerned authorities to launch an immediate probe in to the crime.

The federal and regional governments have also condemned in the strongest terms the massacre which is uncommon in the East African nation and extended condolences to the relatives of victims.

(ST)