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Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Five killed as gunman goes on shooting spree in Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

Five people including three police officers, one civilian and the assailant have been killed in the mid-day shoot out on Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road near the French Embassy, police have confirmed.

Police said that six others were injured in the incident that involved a lone gunman on the usually calm section of the Commercial capital of Dar es Salaam.

This was confirmed by head of police operations, Liberatus Sabas when briefing journalists after completing a preliminary investigation at the scene of the crime.

He, however, said the incident had nothing to do with terrorism following rumours currently spreading on social media.

"People should remain calm as police continue with their investigation to identify the unknown assailant and his intention." He said.

The trigger-happy attacker identified as Hamza Hassan Mohamed was however gunned down by security officers upon reaching the French Embassy gate.

Videos posted on social media show the man carrying two assault rifles opening fire indiscriminately as he walked along Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road.

The area houses various foreign missions including the Kenya High Commission in Tanzania, the French Embassy, Japanese Embassy, Russian embassy and is a close proximity to financial institutions such as Stanbic Bank and KCB Bank.

Tanzania’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro has since confirmed the incident.

An eye witness told our reporter that the man arrived at Stanbic Bank headquarters and went straight to a police shed which had two policemen and shot them dead at point blank before taking their weapons.

Motorists along the usually calm Oyesterbay/Upanga area were forced to abandon their cars as they ran for dear lives.

Before coming down under a hail of bullets the man who was wearing a checked shirt and khaki trousers was seen punching in the air and chest thumping.

The motive of the attack remains unclear.

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