Police officer shoots himself to death in Lilongwe

A Lilongwe-based police officer shot himself dead the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, Central Region Police said.

Central Region Police Spokesperson, Supt. Nolliettie Chihana told Mana that Insp. Patrick Mchekeya who was a traffic officer at Central Region Police Headquarters was found dead around 1:00 am on Wednesday.

The late Mchekeya was duty officer for the night shift, according to Supt. Nolliettie.

Chihana said Mchekeya was alone at the time the incident happened and that he shot himself with an LAR (FN) Rifle which was found held in his hands.

“Based on the scene of the incident, it was established that Mchekeya shot himself through his chin with three bullets as the gun was on automatic.

“The bullets went through his head and to the ceiling of the office veranda,” she said.

Chihana said there was no suicide note found at the scene of the incident, in the officer’s car or at his house.

She could not immediately give the deceased’s age and length of his service.

Chihana said investigations were still underway to establish the reasons that might have led him to commit the suicide.

Mchekeya hailed from Ndelemani Village, Traditional Authority Kumtumanji in Zomba, and is survived by wife and two children.