One dead, four injured in grenade blast

A man threw a grenade at police detectives and injured four before being shot dead by the officers near Beirut tonight, Lebanese security officials said.

The police, part of a judicial patrol, went to a house in the east Beirut suburb of Hazmieh in an attempt to arrest a Lebanese man, Danielle Shahin, the officials said on condition of anonymity.

After the police arrived, a hand grenade was thrown at their vehicle, setting it ablaze and injuring four officers, the officials said.

During an exchange of gun fire, police killed the man who threw the bomb, who was later identified as Shahin’s brother, Antoine.

Police said Danielle Shahin was wanted on several arrest warrants, but no details were available on what matters authorities wanted to detain him over. It was unclear if he was at home during the clash.

It was also unclear if the incident was politically motivated or related to a recent drug bust.