UPDATE: 8.30pm
Many residents have expressed shock on social media following a shootout outside Northcliff Corner on the afternoon of 5 July.
Residents have taken to Facebook to express their concern for the level of crime in the community. They have also praised the SCP Security guard who risked his life to chase down the suspect.
A video circulating on Facebook shows an eyewitness account of the hijacking and the aftermath.
CAUTION: THIS VIDEO IS NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS
Watch the video here:
UPDATE: 3pm
Today’s shootout near Northcliff Corner has left one armed suspect dead and two more on the run.
According to SCP Security’s Clive Maher, three armed suspects attempted to rob a home nearby, but were intercepted by SCP Security.
A chase ensued and the suspects abandoned the vehicle. They tried to hijack another vehicle at a filling station nearby. Maher said the vehicle’s young driver was held-up at gunpoint and forcefully removed as they attempted to hijack the car.
Maher said the suspects opened fire at the armed guards. They retaliated, leaving one suspect fatally wounded.
The second suspect fled into the surrounding suburb and the third escaped in a taxi toward Melville.
Maher said none of his guards have been injured.
Sophiatown police say their officers are still on scene and their comment will follow soon.
Note: Our initial post said there were only two suspects, but new information has since then come to light.
Watch our Facebook Live on the scene:
https://www.facebook.com/northcliffmelvilletimes/videos/1953869848011242/?__xts__[0]=33.%7B%22logging_data%22%3A%7B%22page_id%22%3A103790886352490%2C%22event_type%22%3A%22clicked_all_page_posts%22%2C%22impression_info%22%3A%22eyJmIjp7InBhZ2VfaWQiOiIxMDM3OTA4ODYzNTI0OTAiLCJpdGVtX2NvdW50IjoiMCJ9fQ%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22www_pages_home%22%2C%22interacted_story_type%22%3A%22565413710334575%22%2C%22session_id%22%3A%221ce8b8f00b749827b1593c210da43e07%22%7D%7D
INITIAL REPORT: 2pm
A shootout has occurred outside of Northcliff Corner, leaving one suspect dead.
According to a source on the scene, two armed suspects attempted to rob a home nearby, but were intercepted by an SCP security guard.
A chase ensued, followed by a shootout. The suspects then attempted to hijack another vehicle, wherein one of the suspects was shot dead.
It was initially reported on social media that the incident was a cash-in-transit vehicle robbery, but this is not the case.
Northcliff Melville Times is awaiting comment from local police.
This is a developing story. Northcliff Melville Times has a journalist on the scene, and more information will follow as it becomes available.
Do you have information to share with us? Email aimeed@caxton.co.za or contact us on 011 794 6869.
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