Officer gunned down in Somalia's presidential palace

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia

A senior military officer at Somalia’s presidential palace was shot and killed by a junior soldier on Saturday, local officials have confirmed.

The deputy chief of the Somali presidential palace, Col. Abdi Abdulle -- better known as Qorgab -- was slain by a presidential guard after a dispute. The killer escaped and is being hunted by the authorities.

Saturday's incident took place inside the presidential palace in the capital, Mogadishu.

Shador Haji Mohamud, information director of Somalia’s presidency, confirmed to Anadolu Agency over the phone that Col. Qorgab was shot dead by a soldier.

The motive behind the shooting is not yet clear but another senior officer, who asked not be identified, told Anadolu Agency the chief was killed after a disagreement with the soldier.

During the dispute, Col. Qorgab ordered that the guard be arrested. Gunfire was heard shortly after, the officer said.

The palace has been at the scene of violence before. In 2014, militants belonging to the al-Shabaab rebel group attacked the heavily defended building with bombs and suicide attackers, but this is the first instance of an insider shooting.