Robbery suspect killed in shootout with police

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
A 27-YEAR-OLD man who exchanged gunfire with police in Kokopo, East New Britain, was shot and killed yesterday, a senior police officer says.
Provincial police commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali told The National that the deceased, Samuel Binore, was wanted for robberies around the Takubar, Seaview and Tokua areas over the last two years.
Chief Insp Tabali said Binore had taken police on a chase across Kokopo before being cornered in the bushes between the Rapopo Resort and Channel College around Seaview.
“The shooting by police is now a matter of a coroner’s inquiry with the police officers assisting in the inquiry,” he said. Chief Insp Tabali said police were in pursuit of another suspect in regards to a stolen motor vehicle when they came across the deceased.
“Seeing police, the deceased, ran armed with a loaded homemade firearm, police ordered him to stop, however he did not listen,” he said.
“Police pursued Binore and he took off into the bushes, that was where he took a shooting position and aimed (his gun) at the officers.”
Chief Insp Tabali said after being shot, Binore was taken Nonga Base Hospital in Rabaul where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A homemade firearm and several 12 gauge buck shots were recovered at the scene.