Two armed robbers shot and injured a police officer and three bystanders as they were fleeing the scene after robbing a Vodacom store at Jubilee Mall in Hammanskraal near Pretoria on Saturday.

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, multiple vehicles in the parking lot were damaged by the hail of stray bullets.

Van Dyk said the store manager alleges that while on duty with her colleagues, two unknown men entered the shop and requested assistance.

Van Dyk said suddenly, one of the men pointed the manager with a firearm and ordered her and the staff to remain silent.

“One suspect went to the back store where cellphones were kept and ordered the manager to open the safe and put the cellphones inside the bag,” Van Dyk said.

In the robbery’s aftermath, the suspects ran into the mall, following a crowd of community members.

Van Dyk said further investigation revealed that a police officer in full uniform emerged from a nearby Spar shop and was shown the fleeing suspects by the community.

The armed men noticed the officer and started shooting at him.

Van Dyk said the police officer retaliated and shot towards the suspects, acting within the limits of self-defense and tried to apprehend the suspects.

He said the armed men continued shooting at the officer.

“Later, it was realized that the police officer was shot in the foot and the three community members were each shot in the foot.”

Van Dyk said they were taken to hospital for further medical attention.

He said the armed men fled the scene with an unknown suspicious vehicle, which was in the parking area.

Van Dyk added that 28 pistol cartridges were found in the parking area, while 19 pistol carriages were found inside the mall, and four rifle cartridges were found in the parking area.

He said a case of business robbery, four counts of attempted murder, and malicious damage to property has been registered.

He said the armed men are still at large.