[UPDATE]: Seventh victim confirmed in Cape Town mass shooting

Police have confirmed a seventh person has died following the mass shooting Bishop Lavis on Thursday night.

Four men and two women were declared dead in the hours after the incident, with two others being taken to hospital for treatment.

“The fatalities in last night’s attack in Bishop Lavis have risen to seven. The 26-year-old female victim has succumbed to serious head injuries this morning,” confirmed police just after 8.30am on Friday.

Bishop Lavis mass shooting

Armed suspects are believed to have entered an informal dwelling just after 8.30pm on 24 October.

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The unknown number of suspects opened fire on the Kogelberg Street residents, killing the seven victims.

“The injured pair was transported to a medical facility for treatment. Murder and attempted murder dockets were opened for investigation with Anti-Gang Unit detectives,” confirmed police on Friday morning.

The deceased are between the ages of 24 and 55 and no arrests have been made as yet.

Police stated that they have increased their presence in the area and that no resources will be spared in finding the perpetrators.  

Atlantis mass shooting

Thursday night’s incident comes a day after five people were killed in Atlantis on the west coast.

Three vehicles were reportedly returning from a trip to the beach when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the occupants at the corner of Old Mamre and Silverstream roads.

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The five victims were aged between 18 and 30, while five others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.

Police believe both incidents are gang related.

Cape Town murder cases

Based on the crime stats released by police for the first quarter of the 2024/25 reporting period, the Western Cape has the third highest number of registered murder cases.

Behind Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape recorded 1,138 murder cases in the three months between April and June.

Of the police stations recording the highest number in murder cases, City of Cape Town district stations made up seven of the top 10.

Nyanga was top of the list, while Khayelitsha, Harare, Delft, Phillipi East, Mfuleni and Kraaifontein make up places four to nine.

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