Businessman shot dead

Businessman shot dead

AMBON, Maluku: The murder of a land transportation owner from
Karang Panjang subdistrict has caused tension among local
residents.

Eddy Lahallo, 47, was shot dead in Belakang Soya area at about
7:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, allegedly by a member of the
Maluku Sabhara Perintis Police patrol unit.

Local journalists at the scene said that Eddy got into a
dispute with several police officers when he drove in the wrong
lane outside the Maluku Police Headquarters.

"The quarrel intensified when Eddy pulled out a machete to
attack one of the policemen but missed. He then sped off and
police fired warning shots," an eyewitness said.

The officers chased the driver by motorcycle taxi and shots
were heard in Belakang Soya area.

Eddy was apparently shot in the forehead and his car crashed
into a parked vehicle.

"The officers fled the scene after the incident," a witness
said.

The victim was rushed to Bakti Rahayu Hospital but died from
severe bleeding, said Dr. J. Wattimury.

Maluku Police's Internal Affairs and Pattimura Military Police
are investigating the incident. The identity of the officers
involved has not been revealed.

Tension, however, still gripped Ambon on Friday.

At about 9:10 p.m. on Friday reports said attacks have been
launched by armed rioters who came from Galunggung area towards
villages in Hative Kecil and Ahuru.

The shootings continued until around midnight on Friday, but
no casualties were reported. (49/edt)