A 55-year-old foreign national from Mauritius was gunned down in a brazen attack in the parking lot at the Emporium Centre in Sandown, opposite Food Lover’s Market on Saturday 22 March.
The victim was shot multiple times while seated in a black Lexus, the bullet holes visible in the passenger window.
Community Medics arrived swiftly, but despite their efforts the man was declared dead at the scene.
“Netcare 911 was also present, assisting at the scene, while the police took control of the investigation,” Craig van Essen of Community Medics told TygerBurger. “The area was secured and the scene handed over to police for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.”
Table View police spokesperson Capt Adriana Chandler said police were summoned to the shooting at the shopping complex and discovered the deceased with gunshot wounds to his body, seated on the front passenger seat. The cellphone of the deceased was taken.
The motive for the shooting remains unknown.
Shoppers (who wished to remain anonymous) said it was traumatising. Some witnesses claimed they saw the shooter flee the scene in a car, speeding off moments after gunning the deceased down in the parking lot. The shooting left the community shaken as authorities worked to track down those responsible.
“It was absolutely terrifying,” one shopper related. “I was just walking to my car when I heard the gunshots. People started screaming and running for cover. I can’t believe something like this happened in broad daylight.”
“I was inside the store when I heard the shots,” another shopper said. “At first I thought it was a car backfiring, but then I saw people rushing out. When I stepped outside I saw the shattered car window and the police arriving. It’s really shaken our community.
“This is shocking for our community. I shop here all the time, and to see something like this happen in a busy parking lot is horrifying. It makes you wonder how safe we really are.”
CPF warning
In response to the incident the Table View Community Policing Forum (CPF) issued an urgent notice urging the community to avoid spreading unverified information.
“We ask the public to refrain from speculating or sharing unverified details on social media,” the CPF warned.
It also urged people not to share crime-scene photos or videos, citing several critical reasons, including the potential to compromise ongoing police investigations, putting lives at risk, spread ing misinformation and disrespecting the victims and their families.
“The murder investigation is ongoing and the public is urged to refrain from posting images of the crime scene on social media,” Chandler said.
Anyone who witnessed the crime or had any info that may lead to the arrest of the suspect was urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or Table View Police Station detective Sgt Xolile Magingxi on 021 521 3338/021 521 3301.
