Second Jordanian victim of Muwaqqar shooting laid to rest

AMMAN — Awni Aqrabawi, who was among the victims of Monday’s shooting at a police training facility in east Amman, was laid to rest in Zarqa’s Hashemiyeh cemetery on Wednesday. 

Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, who deputised for His Majesty King Abdullah, and Public Security Department (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Atef Saudi joined relatives and friends of Aqrabawi at the funeral, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

“Aqrabawi is the son of all Jordanians. He worked for us to keep the country safe and secure,” Petra quoted Hammad as saying.

“Jordan has always succeeded in overcoming all challenges, and Jordanians will remain united in the face of anyone attempting to destabilise their country,” the minister noted.

In addition to Aqrabawi, Jordanian Kamal Malkawi, two Americans and one South African who were PSD contractors were killed in the Muwaqqar shooting, in which six people were injured.

Aqrabawi and Malkawi were working as translators with the PSD.

Malkawi was also laid to rest in Zarqa’s Hashemiyeh cemetery on Tuesday.

Authorities are investigating the shooting and sharing updates with the US and South African governments, Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said on Tuesday.

The shooter was identified as 29-year-old Jordanian police officer Captain Anwar Abu Zaid. 

Also on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells visited the condolences house of the Malkawi and Aqrabawi families in Zarqa, according to Petra.

She expressed condolences to the victims’ parents and stressed that Jordanian-US ties will continue to grow, Petra reported.