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Judge Murdered in Courtroom During Sentencing
6 Jun
Summary
- A judge and a former wife were fatally shot in Ethiopia's Walmara court.
- The ex-policeman assailant also attempted suicide after the attack.
- An investigation is underway on how the suspect carried a weapon into court.
A judge and a former wife were tragically killed in Ethiopia's Oromia region on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The incident occurred within the Walmara District Court in West Shewa Zone during the sentencing of a family court case. The assailant, identified as Aqinaaw Baqqalaa, a retired police officer, was reportedly in a dispute with his ex-wife over property division following their divorce.
During the court's pronouncement of the final ruling, Baqqalaa allegedly produced a pistol and a knife, attacking his ex-wife, Almaaz Makonnin, and the presiding judge, Worqee Fakkansaa. Both victims succumbed to their injuries; the ex-wife died at the scene, and the judge passed away before reaching the hospital.
Following the attack, Baqqalaa reportedly attempted to end his own life using the same weapons. He is currently receiving medical treatment at Holata town hospital while under police custody. The circumstances surrounding how the suspect, a former police officer, managed to enter the heavily secured court with firearms are now the subject of a thorough independent investigation.
Geetaachoo Daasoo, Director of Communication for the Oromia Public Prosecutor's Office, stated that other individuals suspected of involvement in the incident have been apprehended. The investigation into the security breach and the murders is ongoing.
