Police probe death of boy killed in shootout

 POLICE are investigating the death of a boy and the wounding of a man in Banz, Jiwaka, during police a shootout last Saturday.

Highlands Assistant Commissioner for Police Teddy Tei said some youths were harassing vendors selling food at the informal market in Banz, Jiwaka.

Tei said police were alerted and managed to arrest two of the youths. But more arrived on the scene to rescue their colleagues.

Tei said police were then forced to fire warning shots. 

The boy unfortunately was hit on the head while an elderly man was shot on the hand.

He said the boy was from Kamillin Banz.

Police have suspended the officer involved in the fatal shooting while investigations continued.

He assured relatives of the boy and the injured man that police would deal with the matter.

Tei said this would not have happened if youths stopped taking drugs, homebrew and alcohol which caused problems in the community.