A 35-year-old woman was shot and assaulted while protecting her one-year-old toddler during an armed robbery in Pretoria West yesterday (August 1).

According to Pretoria Rekord, the incident occurred at 13:05 on Van der Hoff Road, where the woman was selling eggs when she was confronted by two armed suspects.

Pretoria Volunteer Emergency Services (PVES) spokesperson Etienne van Rooyen said the victim showed remarkable courage as she tried to protect her child during the attack.

“On arrival, emergency services found a 35-year-old female with various injuries. During the robbery, she was assaulted with [a] firearm, sustaining facial injuries, and was shot in the left upper leg. Despite the attack, she fought back while protecting her one-year-old toddler, who was fortunately unharmed,” Van Rooyen said.

Bravery praised amid emergency response

The suspects fled the scene with cash and a tray of eggs before emergency responders arrived.

Van Rooyen said PVES members provided emergency medical care, treated the woman’s injuries and controlled the bleeding before handing her over to ambulance personnel for further treatment and transport to hospital.

“We commend the bravery of the victim and are grateful that the child escaped the incident without injury,” Van Rooyen said.

The SAPS, Community Policing Forum, Emergency Support Team, Guardian Angel and KidsCare also responded to the incident.

Police are investigating the armed robbery and searching for the two suspects.

Van Rooyen urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.