A 26-YEAR-OLD man of Kitwe is nursing a bullet wound after police shot at him on suspicion of being a criminal.

Copperbelt police commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba said the incident happened yesterday around 02:00 hours in Kitwe’s Mufuchani.

Michael Siasimuna, 49, a police officer, reported that while patrolling in Mufuchani, a suspected criminal was shot at on the left leg.

He said the suspected criminal has been identified as Richard Musukwa, 26, who is nursing a bullet wound in hospital.

“Mr Siasimuna said while patrolling in Mufuchani area in the company of other police officers, a Toyota Corolla, silver in colour, registration BCE 1004, was spotted within the same area,” he said.

“That is how police officers confronted it and in the process three other criminals scampered to different directions.”

Mr Mweemba said constable Musonda from Kitwe Mobile Unit, who was among the police officers, fired three warning shots in the air, but the criminals continued running.

“That is how Richard Musukwa was shot on the left leg and sustained a bullet wound,” he said.

The victim was taken to Kitwe Teaching Hospital, where he is receiving treatment, while the driver of the same vehicle was apprehended and has been identified as Clement Ntambo, 32, of Kitwe’s Kawama.

The vehicle has been impounded and parked at Riverside Police Station.