Escapee facing rape charges shot dead

AN escapee from Boram prison in Wewak was shot by police and died later on the way to hospital on Friday, police said.
East Sepik police commander Robert Gesa said the escapee, who was facing a series of charges for alleged violent crimes, was shot on the thigh on Friday.
After a struggle with police, he was being taken to hospital but died on the way, Gesa said.
Gesa said charges against Sedrick Mera, 22, from Koikin and Balam in East Sepik included rape, rape of a four-year-old girl that resulted in her death, and wilful murder.
Gesa said the prisoner was remanded at Boram but had escaped a couple of times last year.
“He was remanded at Boram and had escaped a couple of times last year and was on the run,” he said.
Gesa said the court had issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
“He was spotted by a lone traffic police officer and was chased on foot down from Wewak Hill,” he said.
Gesa said the officer gave warning shots but Mera did not pay attention so he shot him on the thigh.
After struggling with police when they were trying to capture him, Mera died, believed from loss of blood, on the way to the hospital, Gesa said.