Security chief shot dead in Algeria's police headquarters

The head of Algeria's police service, Colonel Ali Tounsi, was killed in a shooting at police headquarters in Algiers, according to reports confirmed by the Algerian Interior Ministry.

AFP

Tounsi was shot in his office at Algeria's national police headquarters in the Bab-el-Oued district of Algiers.

The gunman, a fellow officer, is understood to have opened fire during a meeting at which he argued with his colleagues.

The policeman was "apparently overcome by a fit of madness" and began firing around 10.45am local time, according to a statement by the Interior Ministry.

Tounsi returned fire, seriously injuring the officer, but later died of his wounds. The gunman is now being treated in hospital.

Algeria's government has opened an inquiry into the circumstances of the shooting, the Ministry's statement said.