Hillbrow police officers are investigating a murder and attempted business robbery after a shop owner was shot once in the upper body by a group of armed suspects at the Roma Italia Store on Kotze Street, Hillbrow, on 1 March.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson, Kay Makhubela, after storming into the shop, weapons drawn, the suspects were surprised by a shop employee who pulled out his weapon and allegedly fired a shot at them. The robbers then retreated, encountering the owner of the shop in the process and allegedly gunned him down.
Since then, shocked neighbouring shop owners have expressed sadness and alarm at the incident. Limon, [surname withheld], like the murdered Roma Italia shop owner has, for the past five years, been running a small business along Kotze Street.
At the time of the incident, which happened at 11.30am, Limon recalls running for cover whilst inside his shop after hearing a shot being fired.
“I heard what sounded like a gun being discharged. I heard people screaming and saw people running in the vicinity and so I took cover inside my shop. Shortly after, the mother of the victim came running into my shop, saying, ‘Please help Ismael!’
“I walked out and noticed Ismael lying on the ground with his hand clutching his chest [where he had been shot]. The police had [at that point] arrived at the scene but not the ambulance.”
Limon, citing that paramedics were slow to respond, indicated that the victim’s family was in a desperate state of panic and, in light of the fact that the victim had noticeable bleeding from the chest, took him to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Limon described Ismael as being a ‘good guy’ with whom he would have regular conversations. “He would normally come to my shop and we would talk, as neighbours. He was a really nice guy.”
The four suspects are still at large and are said to have fled the scene in a white Ford Ranger. Details: Anyone with information can contact the Hillbrow Police Station on 011 488 6511 or 011 488 6809.
Read: Police on high alert following looting in Jeppe
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