A night out for a birthday celebration took a tragic turn when a 47-year-old man from Johannesburg was killed and his firearm stolen during a robbery at a Phoenix bar.
The incident occurred on Saturday at a liquor outlet in Woodview, where the victim was allegedly shot dead by a suspect who had initially entered the premises to buy liquor.
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Moments later, the suspect returned with accomplices and proceeded to shoot and kill the victim before taking his firearm. The suspects remain unidentified at this stage, and the Phoenix police are investigating the murder and robbery.
Private security company Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) was the first to respond to the scene after receiving a distress call at approximately 1 am.
According to Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram, the suspects entered the bar and held up employees and patrons. In an attempt to defend himself, a patron drew his own firearm and shot one of the suspects.
However, a second suspect retaliated by firing multiple shots at the patron, resulting in fatal injuries. The injured suspect managed to escape in a white Suzuki, leaving behind several spent 9mm cartridges.
The deceased victim, a resident of Johannesburg, was celebrating a friend’s birthday when the incident occurred. This tragic event highlights the concerning issue of the widespread availability of illegal firearms.
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KZN Violence Monitor Mary de Haas emphasises the urgent need for improved policing, particularly in crime intelligence and detective services. De Haas also suggests the implementation of a judicial ombudsman to oversee forensic audits of the police, security industry, and gun shops.
Chad Thomas, an organised and financial crime investigator, explains that criminals can easily procure illicit firearms through their connections and financial resources. These criminals are not legitimate gun owners but rather individuals illegally in possession of firearms obtained from the black market.
Thomas points out that the illegal proliferation of small arms is a growing problem, with firearms being sourced from historical arms caches, smuggling across borders, and theft from law enforcement, security officers, and civilians.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stricter gun control measures and the importance of addressing the root causes of gun violence.
