Funeral prayer of Private First Class Malfi Musa'ed Al-Siheimi Al-Harbi, 28, who was killed in a shootout with a suspected fugitive Wednesday at Al-Jahra rural center checkpoint, 300 km north of Madina, was held Thursday noon at the Prophet's Mosque in Madina. The martyr's family received people who came to extend their condolences at their dilapidated home in Al-Sahman District amid shock and anger of his relatives and colleagues. Al-Harbi died after he was shot twice, in the forehead and in the chest. He was pronounced dead at Taima Hospital. Reports said that Al-Harbi and his colleague Nawaf Al-Shammari stopped a black SUV at the Al-Jahra rural center road security point asking the driver to present his ID and car registration papers, at which he sped away. The two security men chased him in hot pursuit, during which the driver opened fire at them. The two security men exchanged fire with him, during which Al-Harbi was first hit by two bullets and then Al-Shammari also got shot. Fighting back with deadly injuries, the two kept firing at the suspect until he was shot down. Shadows of sorrow cast their gloom on the entire place where condolences were offered at the dead man's hometown. Al-Harbi's cousin, Saleh, said the martyr was known for his piety and good conduct among his relatives and colleagues. He was also well known for his wide social network with those around him. Saleh said Al-Harbi left his home on Wednesday after bidding farewell to his family including his mother, brothers, and wife and baby girl, Siba, to rush for duty at the road security checkpoint in Al-Jahra, without knowing that it would be his last goodbye. Al-Harbi's father died some 20 years ago. Al-Harbi graduated from secondary school five years ago and joined the military training school in Madina. After graduation, he was appointed at the road security checkpoint in Al-Jahra where he worked for four years until his death. Recently, he got approval to be transferred to Madina to be closer to his family, but fate did not approve of that, Saleh said.
