Goma,Congo DRC:  A Congolese journalist and coordinator of Radio Maria – a Catholic radio station found in the war-ravaged eastern town of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – has been killed.

Edmond Bahle Monja was shot point blank in Ndosho, a district of Goma. He was returning from work when he was killed.

His sister, Irene Semakuba told journalists that when she learned that his brother had been murdered, she didn’t believe it.

“I had the courage to rush to the spot where his body was lying. It was all over for him,” she said.

A statement from Radio Maria said three people have been arrested in connection with the killing.

“Among [the three people arrested] were two alleged perpetrators of the despicable murder of our colleague. When they were arrested, they said they had only received $5 to carry out their dirty work,” the statement said.

The killing has triggered lots of reactions across the country. Officials at Radio Maria said they were saddened and filled with anguish following the “cowardly murder” of their coordinator.

“Although several media outlets wrote about the incident, sadness and anguish prevented us from expressing ourselves,” the release states.

Timothée Bigombire, a volunteer journalist with Radio Maria/Goma, condemned “this despicable act.”