A man who drew his firearm on two Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers on Friday night, was wounded in the abdomen by one of the officers.
The 41-year-old man died four hours later at Tembisa Hospital.
According to Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, metro police spokesperson, members of the EMPD Community Liaison Unit received information about two men in possession of suspected unlicensed firearms driving in a white and yellow VW Golf in Tembisa.
At around 8pm on Friday night, the vehicle was spotted in Umthambeka Section.
“The white and yellow VW Golf with two occupants was stopped. Both the vehicle and the occupants were searched but no firearm was found. While on the scene, a member of the community pointed out a man standing at a nearby corner as the one in possession of a firearm,” Kgasago said.
“When approached, the man drew a firearm, cocked it and pointed at the two metro police officers. One of the officers reacted swiftly and shot the suspect in the stomach and groin.”
Immediately after the shooting of the suspect the officers summoned an ambulance. Paramedics attended to the wounded suspect on the scene before he was transported to Tembisa Hospital where he later died.
A Norinco 9mm pistol, with its serial number filed off and loaded with nine live rounds, was confiscated. An inquest docket was opened at Tembisa Police Station. The hunt is on for the second suspect believed to be in possession of another unlicensed firearm.
