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)