A man arrested in Greenstone in connection with a business robbery last Sunday morning, has also been linked to a shooting at a theatre party.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, said the 33-year-old man allegedly killed a person and seriously wounded eight others during a shooting at the Hillbrow Theatre in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Dlamini said police connected the suspect to the theatre shooting after further investigations had been conducted.
The shooting in Hillbrow occurred after the suspect jumped onto the stage at the theatre while a band was performing.
“He grabbed a microphone and claimed he would stop the band unless he got his cell phone. Allegedly, the audience protested which prompted him to fire several random shots. He then fled the scene on foot,” said Dlamini.
A few hours later the suspect was arrested in Greenstone.
“The suspect was later arrested at the Greenstone Shopping Centre where a group of five suspects had robbed a business. Police and mall security chased after the fleeing suspects after the robbery. The suspect was then arrested while four others managed to escape. During his arrest, the suspect sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital under police guard,” explained Dlamini.
Captain Jean Olckers, spokesperson of the Edenvale SAPS, said the suspect had opened fire while fleeing the robbery.
Kempton Park ward councillor Tracey Lourenco was caught in the middle of the shooting.
“I saw one of the robbers running out of the parking area with a gun. He was shooting at a security guard, who returned fire. More security personnel came running out to help,” Lourenco told the NEWS’ sister publication, Kempton Express.
She described the situation as “being in a scene from a movie.”
Dlamini said while the suspect was at Tembisa Hospital he was arrested on additional charges of murder and attempted murder.
“This has been a horrific experience for the audience who were at the theatre to enjoy themselves. Police will never rest until the suspect gets what he deserves. Justice must be allowed to take its course,” said Gauteng SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Deliwe De Lange.
When the suspect appears in court he will be charged with murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm
The police suspect that the suspect has been involved in other serious, violent crimes.
In response to community members’ concerns about security at the Greenstone Shopping Centre, the centre’s management said, “We have noted the community’s feedback about security at the centre and its surrounding areas. Unfortunately, crime is on the increase and all shopping centres are being affected. We are doing our best to ensure the safety of our customers and we are working closely with the SAPS, community groups, resident associations, local security associations and have a number of initiatives in place. These include a large undercover and fully uniformed security presence, anti-jamming devices throughout the mall and a dedicated armed response unit on the centre’s perimeter.
“These initiatives have enabled us to apprehend, prosecute and ban criminals from the centre which has reduced the number of incidents. In some Greenstone Hill reports, crime incidents are often linked to Greenstone in general which means an incorrect perception is created about Greenstone Shopping Centre specifically. We will continue to work closely with customers, residents, community members and remind them that we have an open door policy for any of their concerns.”
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