King Salman of Saudi Arabia’s personal bodyguard, named as Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al-Fagham, was killed in a personal dispute on Saturday night.
The bodyguard was shot dead at a property in Jeddah by a friend after a “personal dispute,” according to the state news agency. No further details were given regarding the incident.
Saudi state television tweeted the news saying, “Maj Gen Abdulaziz al-Fagham, bodyguard of the custodian of the two holy mosques, was shot dead following a personal dispute in Jeddah.”
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that he had been shot and killed by a friend. The shooter was killed, and five members of the security forces – who confronted the gunman – were injured. Al-Fagham reportedly died in hospital from his injuries.
[getty src=”857547558″ width=”594″ height=”347″]His funeral took place at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Sunday, according to Arab News. His family will receive public condolences on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5 pm local time.
Several Saudi officials have expressed their condolences on Twitter after his passing.
Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al-Fagham, who was known to be very close to 83-year-old King Salman, had served as the personal bodyguard for Saudi monarchs for close to 15 years. His death has shocked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Al-Fagham was a well-known figure in the country with a low gun crime rate.
Gun crimes are rare in Saudi Arabia as convicted murderers are usually killed under strict Islamic law.
