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.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis 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.
