Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Ghaida Ghantous & Stephen Kalin

Personal bodyguard of Saudi Arabia's King Salman 'shot dead by friend after row'

The personal bodyguard of Saudi Arabia's King Salman was shot dead by a friend after a row, according to state TV.

Major General Abdul Aziz al-Faghm, the King's long term bodyguard, was shot while at a private residence in the western city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It happened amid what the state broadcaster described as "a personal dispute".

A police statement, published by state news agency SPA on Sunday, said Faghm had a verbal exchange with Mamdouh bin Meshaal Al Ali, a man described as his friend, who then retrieved a firearm from outside and opened fire.

The shooter refused to surrender to police who had surrounded the site and who shot him dead, the statement said. 

Major General Abdul Aziz al-Faghm (back) was the King's long term bodyguard (AFP/Getty Images)

Another Saudi, a Filipino and five members of the security forces were also wounded by gunfire, the statement added.

Faghm was transferred to hospital but died from his wounds.

He was killed in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, where the government relocates for the summer months.

Faghm was at another friend's home in Jeddah's al-Shatee district at the time, several km (miles) north of the palace.

The King has ruled Saudi Arabia since 2015 (AFP)

State media did not give details about the row that sparked the shooting on Saturday night.

Al-Faghm had also served as the personal bodyguard of late King Abdullah, according to local media.

His death prompted an outpouring of sympathy from Saudis on social media.

"May you rest in peace, hero ..." senior Royal Court advisor Turki al-Sheikh tweeted.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.