Photos/Video: Knife-wielding man shot dead outside US embassy in Nairobi, Kenya

A suspected Al-Shabaab terrorist armed with a knife was shot dead outside the US embassy in Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday, October 27th, after stabbing one of the officers guarding the premises.

The suspect later identified as 24-year-old Somali was trying to forcibly gain entry into the embassy when he was blocked by the Kenya officer manning the visa section. A confrontation ensued during which the man took out a knife he had hidden in his trousers and attacked the policeman, stabbing him in the head and chest.

 

"The suspect is a male of Somali origin. The knife has been recovered, body is still at the scene" Gigiri OCPD Vitalis Otiene told Nation.co.ke.

He said the injured officer shot him in self defence as the man also tried to grab his gun. FBI agents and Kenyan authorities reported to the scene. They said the man was with two others who ran away after the shooting.

However, police spokesman George Kinoti said: "It was a lone criminal who attacked a police officer." He added that said investigations will establish motive for the attack.

US embassy spokeswoman Fiona Evans confirmed the shooting in a statement but said no embassy personnel were involved.

"The US Embassy confirms there was a shooting incident near the Embassy. No Embassy personnel were involved. We reffer you to Kenyan authorities for further details," the statement reads