Security guard shot dead in Mountain Mall robbery

A private security officer was shot and killed during a robbery at Mountain Mall along Thika Road on Sunday evening.

Kasarani Sub-county Criminal Investigations Officer Jack Owino said the victim was confirmed dead while being rushed to hospital.

He said the two attackers in the incident stole an unknown amount of money and then fled.

Police secured the building and assessed CCTV footage in a bid to identify the robbers.

The Protection and Safety Association of Kenya (Prosak) identified the security officer as Wycliffe Waweru of Texas Security Company.

What happened

Prosak Secretary-General Delano Kiilu said Waweru met the robbers as they carried a briefcase out of the mall and stopped them for questioning.

“There was an outcry from the general public within the mall that they were thieves. The security officer tried to stop the men but they drew firearms and shot him in the chest and head,” he said, adding he died at the scene.

Mr Diilu asked Inspector-General Hillary Mutyambai to find and punish Waweru’s killers and take steps to ensure the safety of security guards at malls and other public spaces.

“We also request all security companies and clients to invest in modern security systems and equipment to deter such incidents,” he said.

He added, “We advise all private security officers to avoid confronting armed criminals and take evasive action in order to serve as witnesses capturing clear details of incidents. Do not resist if the perpetrators are armed. Your lives are of value and precious.”

Past incident

A similar incident occurred at the mall in March 2017, when two armed robbers opened fire while entering the building. They stole Sh4 million before fleeing.

Later,  a guard and a police officer were arrested after investigators assessed the CCTV footage.

In both incidents, shoppers scampered for safety thinking they were terror attacks.

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