An American consular employee traveling in a car in Pakistan shot and killed two armed men on a motorcycle as they tried to rob him on Thursday, police said. A pedestrian was also killed by a speeding American car trying to help, an officer said.
The U.S. Embassy said an American employee was involved in the incident in Lahore, but could not confirm details.
Police officer Umar Saeed said the American was being held in police custody.
that the man was identified by police as Raymond David.
"He says he opened fire in self-defense," Saeed said, adding that police were investigating whether it was a "robbery attempt".
Conspiracy theories
Pakistan is a vital U.S. ally, but anti-American sentiment runs high in the mainly Muslim nation.
Sections of the media are prone to fanning right-wing conspiracy theories that frequently feature armed foreigners roaming the country at will, violating its sovereignty.
Saeed said the American shot both robbers during the incident. He said the man alerted colleagues who were in a car behind him. He said that car hit a passer-by, who died at a hospital, as they rushed to help.
"Dozens of people gathered after the incident and tried to stop both the vehicles," Saeed told the AFP news agency. "Drivers of both the vehicles tried to flee the scene but police managed to stop them."
Local TV showed footage of what it said was the American's car. It had several bullet holes in the front windshield.
Western diplomats in Pakistan are subject to strict security guidelines because of the threat of militant violence.
Street robberies are not uncommon. Foreigners would be perceived as lucrative targets in the poor country.