Katunayake shooting incident : Suspect identified as ex‑Civil Security Force member

Investigations have revealed that the suspect arrested following a shooting incident involving the Police in Katunayake had previously served in the Katunayake City Security Unit of the Civil Security Force between 2008 and 2010. According to the Police, the 41‑year‑old resident of Divulapitiya was taken into custody by the Negombo Division Crime Investigation Unit in the Divulapitiya area, where he was found with 31 grams of ICE narcotics. Police also recovered the firearm snatched from a Police officer and the motorcycle the suspect had robbed during his escape, following a confrontation with a group of Police Officers yesterday (15). The incident began when traffic officers signaled a motorcycle to stop for inspection in Katunayake last afternoon. The rider ignored the signal, prompting a chase. At Dewamottawa, the rider and pillion abandoned the motorcycle and fled. One suspect was arrested, but during custody he assaulted a Police officer, snatched his firearm, and opened fire on another officer arriving from a nearby roadblock, injuring him. The suspect then threatened with the weapon, seized a passing motorcycle, and escaped. Special police teams were deployed, leading to his eventual arrest. The officer injured by gunfire was admitted to Negombo Hospital, while the officer assaulted during the struggle was admitted to Minuwangoda Hospital. Police state that investigations are continuing to apprehend the second suspect involved in the incident. (Newswire)