RIYADH, 1 January — A policeman was killed by a gunman at an intersection on a busy street in Al-Kharj, reports said yesterday.
Saeed Al-Ghamdi, 39, a staff sergeant, is survived by his wife and four children.
The suspect, who fled the scene of the crime and managed to evade the police who pursued him, later surrendered to Al-Kharj police.
Riyadh police, who took over the investigation from Al-Kharj police, have refused to reveal details about the suspect or the circumstances in which the crime was committed.
According to witnesses, when a patrol car stopped at a traffic light the suspect fired at the driver of the police car and then disappeared into nearby narrow lanes.
The victim’s father, Yaniallah Al-Ghamdi, who had come to the city from Bisha the previous day, said Saeed was killed inside his car while carrying out his duty. He did not have any known personal enemies and never had picked a quarrel with anyone.
"The last I saw him was before dawn prayers on Saturday, when he was leaving for work," Al-Ghamdi said. "While I was waiting for my son to have lunch with him at around 3 p.m., one of his colleagues knocked on the door and announced the shocking news," the old man recalled.
"My daughter-in-law has not recovered from a hemorrhage after losing her baby because of an illness," he added.
The couple’s eldest son is studying in an intermediate school in Al-Kharj.
According to his colleague, Saeed was too gentle to be a policeman, was dedicated to his work and was fair even with violators. He joined the force in 1982 and was posted in Wadi Al-Dawasir. He was transferred to Al-Kharj only two years ago.
