The shooting occurred within 48 hours of another shooting incident in the capital – in Bomana – in which a policeman shot and wounded eight correctional services officers following a family feud.
The shooting by the soldier allegedly occurred at the Vadavada settlement.
The three men – one dead, one in critical condition and another in stable condition – were reportedly part of a group from the Goilala community at the Vadavada Settlement along the Taurama Road.
The alleged shooting happened between 6am and 7am last Friday after a group of
men from the settlement crossed over to the home of a family – believed to be part of the landowner clan from Mahuru village – to resolve a dispute over a playing field.
This followed the alleged uprooting of the field’s gold post reportedly by a member of the family last Thursday, and who was allegedly assaulted by some settlers.
The field was being used by settlers for sporting activities.
NCD police chief of operations Andy Anderson said during the discussion with the landowners, some members of the settlers became angry and allegedly charged at members of the family.
The soldier, who is married into the family, reportedly took out a firearm and fired several shots into the air, in an attempt to stop the men coming at them.
The shots did not deter the men and he allegedly fired at them, killing one and injuring the other two.
Police were called to the area to monitor the situation and prevent an escalation of violence, and motorists and vehicles that travelled along the road that morning were forced to slow down and pass under close police watch.
NCD metropolitan superintendent Fred Yakasa has also been briefed on the situation and said police were monitoring the situation.
Police intervened to prevent the settlers bringing the body of the dead to Murray Barracks, where the soldier is based.
Police also discouraged the settlers from retaliating.