Senior government officer to face charges following gun incident at Gateway Hotel

A senior government officer is expected to be formally charged by police on Monday after allegedly drawing a pistol and pointing it at security guards during a confrontation at the Gateway Hotel.

The incident, which occurred yesterday, was reported by Black Swan International, the private security firm responsible for providing security at the premises. The altercation allegedly took place after the officer was denied entry by guards due to a lack of proper identification or access clearance.

Assistant Commissioner of Police and NCD/Central Commander Benjamin Turi confirmed the incident and said the matter is being taken seriously.

According to ACP Turi, officers from the Seven-Mile Police Station responded swiftly and initially took the suspect into custody. However, he was later released following instructions from a senior officer at Police Headquarters.

Turi expressed disappointment over the interference, stating that such directives undermine the integrity of police work and send the wrong message to the public.

“The problem with this case is that one of the senior officers at Police Headquarters gave directions to the officers at Seven Mile to caution and release the suspect,” Turi said. “Now the management of Black Swan are not happy. They are compiling statements and obtaining CCTV footage. We will call on the former army officer to come to the station and be formally charged.”

The assistant commissioner criticized the practice of shielding individuals in positions of power from legal accountability, saying it sets a dangerous precedent.

“We are really setting a bad example for the general public. It creates the perception that we treat people differently based on their status, protecting those in authority while disregarding the rights of ordinary citizens, especially when a firearm is involved,” he added.

Turi reiterated that everyone must be treated equally under the law, regardless of rank, position, or affiliation.

The events leading up to the incident are still unclear. However, initial reports suggest that the confrontation began when the officer attempted to access the hotel without the necessary entry pass, prompting the guards to refuse him entry.

Police investigations are ongoing, and formal charges are expected to be laid once all supporting evidence, including surveillance footage and witness statements, are compiled.