Dubai policeman dead after shooting by colleague

A police officer was arrested on Sunday after allegedly shooting dead a colleague, Dubai police have said.

DUBAI // A police officer has been arrested on suspicion of murder after one of his colleagues was shot dead.

The two officers, both from Yemen, had personal differences and had argued while on duty on Sunday, said Maj Gen Khamis Al Muzeina, chief of Dubai police.

The men argued in their living quarters earlier in the day and then argued again at Al Rafaa police station, where they traded insults.

Police say one of the men, a 25-year-old patrol sergeant, pulled his gun and shot the other officer.

“An argument erupted between the two in relation to some personal issues while they were receiving their weapons as they just started duties,” said Gen Al Muzeina.

The victim, a warehouse guard at the station, died instantly. Officers close to the two men said the victim had been shot three times.

The dead officer had worked for Dubai Police for 30 years. His body was transferred to Rashid Hospital.

Gen Al Muzeina denied reports that the killing, which happened at the station in Bur Dubai at around noon, was politically motivated.

“Some reports have tried to show that the incident was a political dispute between two Yemeni officers … but it was a personal dispute that led to a police officer shooting his colleague,” he said.

“This behaviour was an individual act and there is no specific mindset behind it, but some took advantage to politicise it.”

The sergeant’s case has been transferred to Dubai public prosecution.