Gunmen shot and killed two men in a parked car on a busy street in Johannesburg, South Africa, resulting in the death of a university student and serious injury to another after they were hit by stray bullets while their bus was passing by.
The incident, occurring in broad daylight, left witnesses shocked.
According to police, no arrests have been made yet. Gun violence is unfortunately common in South Africa, but witnesses to this daylight shooting expressed shock at the brazenness of the attack.
Police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi described the incident, stating that both men in the vehicle and one student were pronounced dead, while the other student was hospitalized for treatment.
The police statement indicated that the students were caught in the “crossfire.”
Images circulated on social media depicted a man’s body hanging out of a car window and individuals receiving medical attention at the scene in Braamfontein, a district near several university campuses.
The University of Johannesburg confirmed that both affected students were enrolled there.
The deceased undergraduate, aged 18, was on his way to his residence when the shooting occurred. The university offered counseling to witnesses.
Wits University, located nearby, suggested the incident might be linked to taxi violence, although police declined to comment on this, citing ongoing investigations.
Witnesses reported seeing a gunman fleeing in a white getaway car. Johannesburg city police spokesperson Xolani Fihla stated that the motive for the shooting remained unknown.
Students recounted hearing multiple gunshots followed by chaos. One student described the experience as traumatic and frightening, emphasizing the potential vulnerability of anyone in such situations.
Another witness mentioned previous instances of violence in the area. Police and forensic investigators are currently at the scene.
South African police crime statistics indicate an alarming average of 34 gunshot-related deaths per day between July and September of the previous year.
Source-BBC
