Filled with fear and mixed emotions, a worker in a Bangladeshi shop was still in shock after a shooting incident at the shop on Wednesday 24 June in the Louwville neighbourhood.

Capt Tania Helfrich, district spokesperson for the West Coast police, confirmed that the incident took place around 20:40. “Two unknown men forced a 44-year-old Bangladeshi national and his 25-year-old colleague to open the door of their shop in Wisteria Street, Louwville.

“The suspects fired shots, during which the 25-year-old man sustained gunshot wounds to his left arm and abdomen. The suspects then fled the scene.”

According to the worker the robbers approached the shop armed with a gun, demanding that the security gate be opened.

One robber pushed a gun through the opening where customers exchange cash for goods.

“I was standing at the counter and the robber pointed the gun. The others echoed him, saying I must open or they will shoot.

“I ran to the back, but my colleague did not get a chance; they shot him three times. We phoned the police and ambulance and they arrived quickly.”

The worker, who is too afraid to give his name, believed the suspects were not from Louwville, although this is difficult to verify as they were wearing masks.

He said a similar incident occurred at the shop about three years ago, but no-one was hurt on that occasion.

While Weslander was on the scene a group of youths taunted the visibly scared worker.

They said he must open his shop so “he can also be shot.”

Helfrich said an attempted murder case was being investigated by the Vredenburg police.