Security forces opened fire on protesters in Gondar who had gathered to demonstrate against the kidnapping and killing of a two-year-old girl, resulting in the deaths of at least four protesters.

Two-year-old Nolawit Zegeye was found dead just days after her abduction and a ransom demand of half a million birr, leaving the community in shock and grief. The kidnappers killed the baby after receiving the 300,000 birr ransom they had demanded. In response, outraged residents swarmed the city center, Piazza, to protest.

Security forces assigned to guard officials opened fire on protesters demanding justice as they were heading home after the demonstration, witnesses reported. Four people were killed, including a woman and two rickshaw drivers.

“No demonstrators tried to seize weapons from security forces or carry out any other attacks,” a town resident told BBC Amharic, adding that the assault was framed as an effort to maintain order and “disperse the demonstrators.”