A CASUAL outing for some drinks took a painful and life-threatening twist for a Lusaka man when his drinking buddy at Twin Palm Mall’s Black Pub and Grill in Salama Park, pulled out a pistol and fired into his legs breaking them instantly.
Reacting to the incident, the Zambia Service have expressed concern at the escalating numbers of shooting incidences at drinking places.
Isaac Mutale has been detained for shooting his drinking buddy, Richard Diza, during a disagreement while they were both consuming beer.
According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga the incident transpired around 01:00 hours, raising alarms among law enforcement officials.
The victim, Diza, is admitted to Levy Mwanawansa Teaching Hospital with injuries and broken legs.
Police visited the scene and discovered an empty cartridge and a live bullet.
“The pistol used in the incident has been recovered,” said Hamoonga.
In response to this surge in shooting incidents at drinking establishments, the Zambia Police Service is issuing a stern warning to both patrons, owners or managers. .
Hamoonga expressed concern about individuals entering such establishments armed and, in some cases, discharging firearms.
“The discharge of firearms in crowded and confined spaces puts innocent lives at risk and jeopardizes the well-being of everyone present,” he added.
Commiting to the safety of the community, Hamoonga urged patrons to refrain from carrying firearms into drinking establishments and advising owners/managers to implement stringent security measures.
He recommended collaborating with law enforcement for security assessments, thorough patron screenings, installation of surveillance cameras, and displaying visible signage indicating a strict no-firearms policy.
CAPTION PHOTO: Richard Diza in black being ferried away from shooting scene
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba January 13,2024
