A trip to Darrenwood Shopping Centre ended in a tragic death when a man in his late 30s was shot dead during a robbery in the evening of 16 April.
According to Linden Police Operations Manager Captain Alex Vermaak, six to eight men entered a bottle store and a café at 7.15pm demanding cash.
“While this was going on, a customer stopped outside [in the parking lot] and got out of his car. As he tried to step onto the walkway, he was shot three times in the lower body and head,” said Capt Vermaak.
The Windsor West resident died on scene. Capt Vermaak said, “The suspects regrouped and jumped into a silver single cab [van] and drove off.” According to him, the owner of the café was hit on the head but refused to open a case. Instead, he closed shop and “ran off”. Linden Police are investigating the murder and robbery.
Capt Vermaak urged the community to assist the police with the investigations. “There were a lot of people around who might have information on the senseless act.”
The bottle store manager, who preferred to remain anonymous, said three of the suspects got away with R2 000.
His visibly shaken employee said they would have taken more money if one of their accomplices hadn’t opened fire on the deceased.
A family man murdered
The deceased was described by his friends and family as a family man.
Brother-in-law Harold Reddy said, “He was a very kind-hearted person. He loved his family and did everything for his family.”
Reddy informed that the deceased’s wife had given birth to their second daughter a mere two weeks ago.
His older daughter is nine-years-old.
Colleague Peenesh Pillay said the deceased helped him find a job.
“He was a very friendly person. It’s very shocking to hear such news. We never expected anything like this to happen,” Pillay commented.
WATCH: Robbers caught on camera.
