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Staff members and clients of Shoprite in the Randfontein CBD were allegedly held hostage by a group of armed men on Friday night.
The incident took place at the Shoprite in Duncan Road near the Randfontein Police Station at approximately 6.50pm said Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson.
It’s said suspects targeted the shop, went to the cash office and threatened the manager to hand over the shop’s money. Fortunately, the manager managed to press the panic button and car watch personnel ran to the police station to alert them about the situation.
Police responded almost instantly and when they arrived, the suspects opened fire on them. Police shot back and fatally wounded one suspect and critically injured another.
ER24 confirmed they found two men lying on the ground a short distance away from each other, one of which had succumbed to his wounds and another was in a critical condition with a gunshot wound to his head. The latter was transported to hospital but later died while being transported to hospital.
Two more suspects were apprehended by the West Rand Emergency Response Service (Flying Squad).
It is alleged that approximately four to six other suspects managed to flee the scene. It could not be established if the suspects managed to flee with anything since a bag containing money was left on the scene,” Ernst said.
Once the incident was over, police thoroughly searched the shop and led traumatised staff members and shoppers out of the shop. Among the shoppers were children.
All victims of the shootout were debriefed on scene by trained emergency services personnel.
Ernst added, “One firearm was recovered on scene and the serial number was tampered with.”
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