A three week old baby has been made an orphan after his father was shot and killed by the police on Tuesday in an alleged robbery operation.

The baby had already lost the biological mother during delivery.

Police claimed the baby’s father who is now deceased and a resident of Asawase in the Ashanti Region was one of a four-member armed robbery gang who robbed some residents of Kumasi yesterday.  The 21 year old physically challenged man was identified only as Rashid.

Scores of Zongo youth Wednesday morning went on riot, demanding the release of the body of their colleague.

Residents have also disputed the claim that he was an armed robber.

Meanwhile, calm has been restored to the area, but the family of the deceased have not backed down on their pursuit of the body for immediate burial as prescribed by their Islamic religion, Luv FM’s Erastus Asare Donkor reported.

According to Erastus, the police have invited the victims of the robbery operation to identify the body. He said if the body is identified as one of the suspects they would have to retain the body for further investigation.

Alhaji Usman Mohammed, the grandfather of the deceased, has insisted that the grandson was an innocent cripple who has been taking care of his baby after the mother died during childbirth three weeks ago.

He wondered why the police refused to arrest him instead, after claiming that the grandson had raised the hands and surrendered to the police.

The helpless old man is now seeking the face of God who has the power to intervene on behalf of the family.

Members of the community have testified that Rashid was an innocent man and want the police to investigate the circumstances that led to his death, Erastus said.

Meanwhile, ASP Mohammed Tanko, Public Relations Officer for the Ashanti Regional Police Command, told Joy News criminals do not inform their relatives of their unscrupulous deeds.

For this reason, he explained, family members usually express surprise and shock when they hear about the arrest of unsuspecting family member who engaged in robbery and other criminal activities.

 He said the account of the patrol team that shot and killed Rashid contradicts the family’s claim, but assured that the police will do thorough investigations to unravel the truth. He appealed to the family to assist the police investigation team.

DSP Tanko said when the team discovered the hide out of Rashid and they tried arresting him, the deceased threatened to harm anyone who came close to him with a hammer so the police resorted to the use of fire arms and he died in the process.

He assured that the body would be released when investigations are completed, explaining that where the bullet hit would be a clue to the team.