A BRITISH ex-serviceman has been shot dead in California just weeks before he was due to return to the UK.
Dad-of-two Satyan Dave, 49, was found dead in the Eastlake District of Oakland on Thursday morning.
The ex-paratrooper, from Hendon, North London, had been stationed on the West Coast whilst working for Cypriot private security firm M.S. Security & Personnel Ltd.
But Satyan’s friend and next-of-kin Christopher Morris got a call from M.S. Security on Thursday to say he had been killed.
He was told his pal of 20 years had been mysteriously shot in the head shortly after 5am.
Cops remain unclear whether Satyan was targeted or hit at random.
Christopher – who described Satyan as a “gentleman” and a “top guy” – said he was set to come back to the UK in August to reunite with his young son and daughter.
He told The Sun: “He had recently been trying to pull his life back together and do the maritime security job.
“He had been living in his grandma’s old house in London, but knew it would be sold while he was away.”
Christopher said the house recently sold for £600,000 and Satyan was due to receive half, which he planned to use to move closer to his children in Norfolk.
He added: “The dangerous part of his job was fighting Somalian pirates, but he was killed while waiting for a new boat.”
Satyan previously served in the British Army – but Christopher said would rarely talk of his time in the forces.
He added: “His family were from Uganda and he joined the South African army and had the chance to change his nationality and join the British Army.
“He became captain of the parachute regiment.
“When I met him, he suffered from PTSD from his time in the forces.”
Satyan’s elderly father, who lives in Uganda, was devastated to learn of his son’s death.
He and Christopher are now waiting for answers on what happened to Satyan.
Cops in California have launched a murder investigation and are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the killer’s arrest.
A spokesperson said: “The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 27, 2023, just before 5:15 AM.
“Officers were dispatched to 7th Avenue and International Boulevard to investigate the report of a person down on the ground.
Upon arrival, officers located an individual suffering from an apparent gunshot wound(s).
“Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced deceased on scene.
Investigators from the OPD Homicide Section responded to the scene to take over the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at (510) 238-7950.
“There have been no arrests made in this case. This is an active investigation. We are unable to provide additional details at this time.”
Today, police were trying to determine Dave’s last known movements, but he may have gone out to another nearby city for dinner, authorities said.
