Saudi king's personal bodyguard shot dead in Jeddah
Saudi King Salman’s personal bodyguard was shot dead in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Saturday night, the kingdom’s official news agency has said.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Sunday that Major General Abdul Aziz al-Faghm, who has served as the king’s personal bodyguard for a number of years, was killed at a private residence during “a personal dispute” with a friend.
According to a police statement published by the SPA, Faghm was arguing with the friend, Mamdouh bin Meshaal al-Ali, at another friend’s house in Jeddah’s al-Shatee neighbourhood.
'Ali left the home, came back carrying a gun and fired at Fagham, wounding two others in the household'
- Police statement
"Fagham was visiting his friend at his home in Jeddah when an acquaintance, Mamdouh al-Ali, entered the residence," the police said.
After a heated exchange, Ali retrieved a gun from outside, returning to the residence and opening fire, the statement said.
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“Ali left the home, came back carrying a gun and fired at Fagham, wounding two others in the household, a Filipino worker and brother of the house's owner," the police said.
When the police arrived and surrounded the site, the shooter refused to surrender to them and was shot dead, according to the statement.
Faghm was reportedly taken to hospital, where he died of his wounds.
The major general had previously served as the bodyguard for the king’s predecessor, King Abdullah, and was well known among the royal court.
Prince Turki al-Sheikh, one of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s top aides and head of the entertainment authority, said he had spoken to Faghm earlier in the day.
Translation: May God have mercy on you, hero... For 10 years I haven't seen anything but goodness and loyalty from you... you were with me on the phone today, laughing and talking about Riyadh... God have mercy on you, God have mercy on you Abu Abdullah... I can't understand that I will not see you after today
Much of the royal court moves to the western Saudi city of Jeddah from Riyadh during the summer months.
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