What was supposed to be a happy outing ended in tragedy when a 22-year-old woman lost her life due to a shooting incident outside a tavern in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, on Saturday morning.

According to information received, the victim was taken to Mapulaneng Hospital in a private vehicle. However, she succumbed to her injuries.

The victim was accompanied by some of her friends. They reportedly parked their vehicle next to a tavern in town, hoping to buy some potato chips inside, but found the premises already closed.

A man who was half naked reportedly came from the tavern and instructed them to leave. He then reportedly fired several shots in their direction.

They sped away from the scene. On their way, they realised the victim was bleeding and quickly rushed her to a hospital, where she died.

A murder docket was registered in Bushbuckridge and a 23-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He is expected to appear in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court today.

The police said they cannot rule out the possibility of adding other charges against the suspect.

Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela issued a strong warning that people have to adhere to the Firearm Control Act 60 of 2000 and ‘refrain from being trigger-happy’.