A DOMESTIC dispute in Lusaka’s Chalala suburb turned violent over the weekend when a police couple allegedly turned their weapon on each other, both sustaining serious injuries and fighting for their lives at the University Teaching Hospital.
The shooting, which occurred between 24:00 and 01:00 hours yesterday at the couple’s residence in the G-Greens area, involved 45-year-old assistant superintendent James Phiri of police headquarters – operations and his wife, chief inspector Astridah Bwalya of the Paramilitary Battalion Headquarters Training Wing.
Sources say the quarrel escalated after Phiri allegedly fired at his wife during the argument.
After noticing his wife lying in a pool of blood, Phiri reportedly attempted to take his own life and turned a gun on himself.
He sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including a bullet through his cheek and two lodged in his forehead.
While Astridah was shot in the eye, with one bullet lodged in her head.
The couple’s male child reportedly discovered them lying unconscious in their bedroom after hearing his mother scream and suddenly fall silent. .
He immediately called a friend at Lilayi Police Camp, who rushed the couple to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in the early hours of Monday.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed the shooting and hospitalisation of the couple.
He did not give much details but revealed the firearm involved was a Taurus pistol, which has since been recovered and secured by police investigators.
“We are investigating the circumstances of the shooting and the public will be informed of further developments in due course,” Hamoonga stated.
Phiri was reported to be in a stable condition, while his wife remained in critical condition.
By George Musonda
Kalemba August 19, 2025
