Gunman shoots dead Saudi Arabia’s King Salman’s personal bodyguard, as seven others are wounded during an argument at a friend’s home
- General Abdelaziz al-Fagham died on Saturday in the Western city of Jeddah
- Was at a friend’s house when he became embroiled in a ‘personal dispute’
- The general died from his injuries and an investigation has now been launched
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman’s personal bodyguard has been shot dead and seven others have been wounded after an argument at a friend’s house.
General Abdelaziz al-Fagham died on Saturday evening in the Western city of Jeddah after a ‘personal dispute’ at the property.
King Salman’s personal bodyguard was often seen at his side and had also accompanied him to a recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Adil Abdul-Mahdi.
General Abdelaziz al-Fagham (back) recently accompanied King Salman (front) to receive the Iraqi Prime Minister in Jeddah
General Abdel Aziz al-Fagham is seen with King Salman in Jeddah, left, in 2017 and right in 2018
The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that General al-Fagham had been visiting a friend when an acquaintance, Mamdouh al-Ali entered the residence.
‘The conversation between Fagham and Ali escalated… Ali left the home, came back carrying a gun and fired at Fagham, injuring two others in the household, a Filipino worker and brother of the house’s owner.’
SPA reported that Ali was later killed and that five security personnel were also wounded in a shootout when the suspect ‘refused to surrender’.
This is while Al-Ekhbariya state television reported that the incident was triggered by a ‘personal dispute’, without giving further details.
Following the news, many people took to Twitter to share photos of the General and to pay tribute
General al-Fagham died in hospital from his injuries and an investigation has now been launched.
The general, close to the king, was well known among Saudis.
Many Saudi officials took to social media to remember General al-Fagham, and health minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said: ‘Oh God, have mercy on him and make a great rest in paradise and honor his home and inspired his family and his patience and solace. . Guard our kings and dwell our hearts.’
This is while Royal Court adviser Turki al-Sheikh tweeted: ‘You are with me on the phone today and laugh and talk about Riyadh … God bless your mercy God, O Abu Abdullah … Praise be to God and spend his destiny … Not understand that I will not See you after today!’
The death of General al-Fagham will come as a shock to the 30 million residence in Saudi Arabia.
The country has a low gun crime rate, due to strict Islamic laws which see convicted killers executed.
Health minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said: ‘Oh God, have mercy on him and make a great rest in paradise and honor his home and inspired his family and his patience and solace. . Guard our kings and dwell our hearts.’ This is while Royal Court adviser Turki al-Sheikh tweeted: ‘You are with me on the phone today and laugh and talk about Riyadh. (Tweet from Al-Rabiah, left and from al-Sheikh, right)