Police Detain Suspects in South Sudanese Bishop-elect Shooting

RUMBEK, SOUTH SUDAN - Authorities in the capital of South Sudan’s Lakes State detained close to two dozen people including police officers and priests on Tuesday, a day after armed assailants shot Bishop-elect Christian Carlassare on the grounds of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek.   

All employees at the diocese offices, including watchmen, have been detained for questioning, said Lakes State police spokesperson Captain Elijah Mabor Makuac.    “We have arrested 20 people currently under our custody, including some of our police personnel who were assigned there, including priests and the staff of the diocese who were around the crime scene. Up to now we are investigating the crime; we shall establish the motive very soon,” Makuac told VOA’s "South Sudan in Focus" program.  Bishop-elect Carlassare told "South Sudan in Focus" unknown gunmen stormed his residence early Monday and shot him in both legs for no apparent reason.