Ballistics report to identify shooter
The National Forensic Science Institute is analysing cartridge casings to find out who fired a stray bullet that killed a young woman in Katutura.
Police investigations into the death of 26-year-old Lavinia 'Kalavi' Kagola, who died in a Windhoek hospital after being hit by a stray bullet during a police operation against shebeen owners, are at an advanced stage.
A reliable source told Namibian Sun the police forensic unit was matching cartridge casings found at the scene to the guns used by police officers in the early hours of 1 September.
Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed to Namibian Sun that investigations were at an advanced stage, but refused to divulge any further information.
However, a source described the incident as a very serious matter.
“There was a serious investigation and all the guns that were with the officers who were part of the operation were confiscated. Investigators picked up some projectiles from the scene and they were matching them against the weapons that were given to the officers, to determine the origin of the bullet.
“We understand there were also some members of the public that were shooting. At this moment, I do not know how far the forensic unit is with their investigations,” the source said.
Kagola was shot while police officers conducted a shebeen-closing operation in Katutura's Babylon location.
It was reported that the operation descended into chaos when members of the public started throwing rocks at the police. Subsequently, warning shots were fired by some officers.
The police reported at the time of the incident that they could not say exactly what had happened, because the officers were in one area while the deceased was quite a distance away from where the violence broke out.
All they know is that Kagola was hit by a stray bullet in the lower back, but it is not clear where the stray bullet originated from and from which firearm it was fired.
At her funeral at Omaalala, her family appealed to the police to bring her killer to justice.
Her mother, Johanna Victor, said her daughter was talking on her cellphone outside the house.
“I heard her when she got up and I was even asking why she was going to talk outside. Just at that moment when she got outside, I could hear gunshots; just like a dream, someone came running and told us that Lavinia was shot.
“Just after it was discovered that Lavinia was shot, the police got into their van and drove away. If they could have picked her up and taken her to the hospital on time, she might have survived,” Victor said.
ILENI NANDJATO
A reliable source told Namibian Sun the police forensic unit was matching cartridge casings found at the scene to the guns used by police officers in the early hours of 1 September.
Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed to Namibian Sun that investigations were at an advanced stage, but refused to divulge any further information.
However, a source described the incident as a very serious matter.
“There was a serious investigation and all the guns that were with the officers who were part of the operation were confiscated. Investigators picked up some projectiles from the scene and they were matching them against the weapons that were given to the officers, to determine the origin of the bullet.
“We understand there were also some members of the public that were shooting. At this moment, I do not know how far the forensic unit is with their investigations,” the source said.
Kagola was shot while police officers conducted a shebeen-closing operation in Katutura's Babylon location.
It was reported that the operation descended into chaos when members of the public started throwing rocks at the police. Subsequently, warning shots were fired by some officers.
The police reported at the time of the incident that they could not say exactly what had happened, because the officers were in one area while the deceased was quite a distance away from where the violence broke out.
All they know is that Kagola was hit by a stray bullet in the lower back, but it is not clear where the stray bullet originated from and from which firearm it was fired.
At her funeral at Omaalala, her family appealed to the police to bring her killer to justice.
Her mother, Johanna Victor, said her daughter was talking on her cellphone outside the house.
“I heard her when she got up and I was even asking why she was going to talk outside. Just at that moment when she got outside, I could hear gunshots; just like a dream, someone came running and told us that Lavinia was shot.
“Just after it was discovered that Lavinia was shot, the police got into their van and drove away. If they could have picked her up and taken her to the hospital on time, she might have survived,” Victor said.
ILENI NANDJATO
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