27 Dec 2004

Police in the Solomons link fatal shooting of Ramsi officer with previous attack in October

10:43 am on 27 December 2004

Police in the Solomon Islands are still searching for another man in connections with the fatal shooting of an Australian soldier based with the RAMSI force.

Adam Dunning was shot and killed early last Wednesday while on a routine vehicle patrol with another officer in Honiara.

The Australian Associated Press says police are now linking the shooting with another firearms incident in October in which a regional assistance police officer was wounded.

In that attack, a Nauru police officer with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands received minor shrapnel wounds after he and his Tongan colleague were shot at while on vehicle patrol in Honiara.

Participating police force commander Sandi Peisley says a Solomon Islander, James Tatau, is now wanted for questioning in relation to both incidents.

Police have already arrested and charged 31-year-old John Hen Ome with the murder of Officer Dunning and the attempted murder of his colleague.

Commander Peisley said both investigations had been merged and although Ome's arrest and charging was a positive development there was a long way to go.