Child, mother among 3 shot dead in broad daylight by ASI in Kushtia

An Assistant Sub-inspector of police shot three people, including a woman and her child, to death in broad daylight today in Kushtia town.

The deceased are: Asma Khatun (27), her son Robin (7), and Shakil Khan (34).

Police are interrogating Shoumen Roy, an ASI of Fultola Police Station in Khulna, to learn the motive.

Asma's family members said she told them that Shoumen married her but police said they are yet to know details on the issue.

The incident happened in the city's Customs Junction area around 11:45am. Locals caught the ASI and handed him over to police, said Kushtia Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sabbirul Alam.

The woman and the child were standing by the road when Shakil, employee of a local mobile banking service providing shop, arrived there following her phone call.

As the woman was talking to him, the accused killer arrived on the spot. He seemed agitated, owner of a nearby shop, who witnessed the incident, said.

The police officer started talking to them. At one stage, the ASI shot the woman in the head, using his firearm, leaving her dead on the spot. He also shot Shakil.

As the child, Robin, ran to a nearby mosque, the ASI dragged him out and shot him too -- leaving him dead on the spot, the shop owner said, preferring anonymity.

Critically injured Shakil was declared dead after locals took him to a nearby hospital.

As locals gathered, hearing gunshots, the ASI tried to flee. Locals then chased him and the ASI took shelter in a building nearby. The crowd besieged the building until police arrived and arrested ASI Shoumen along with the firearm, police and locals said.

Asma's mother Hasina Banu told reporters at Kushtia General Hospital that her daughter told them that Shoumen married her.

"In the morning, my daughter along with her son left the house, saying Shoumen will take them to Khulna," she said.