Wanted man killed in Irbid forest

AMMAN — A 42-year-old wanted man was killed on Wednesday night following an exchange of gunfire with police forces in a valley in Irbid, according to official sources.

A second man was shot during the incident, but was listed in stable condition, a senior official source said.

The victim, who had over 60 criminal records, was hiding in a forested area in Wadi Jdeita, 80km north of Amman, when he was approached by a special police force, the official told The Jordan Times.

“The force was monitoring the suspect and wanted to arrest him because he had dozens of criminal records,” the official added. 

The suspect opened fire at the police with a machinegun and “our forces had to respond,” he noted.

“The suspect and another man were injured and rushed to a nearby hospital where the wanted man died shortly after being admitted, while the second man, believed to be a shepherd, was listed in stable condition,” the official source said.

He added that police are currently questioning the second man to determine whether he was involved with the suspect or not.

“Our preliminary investigation indicates that the second man was not involved with the suspect and was a shepherd who happened to be in the area with his sheep when the shooting occurred,” the source explained.

The suspect’s criminal records included theft, drug trafficking, attempted murder and molestation, according to a police statement.

Police also seized an AK-47, a scope, two pistols and ammunition clips found at the scene of the raid, the statement said.