An unidentified man was shot dead on Wednesday afternoon in Violetbank, Bushbuckridge, while allegedly attempting to rob a grocery store, according to Mpumalanga police.
The incident occurred when two men entered a foreign-owned grocery store and made purchases from the cashier, including cigarettes and sweets.
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As the two would-be robbers were still inside the store, the store owner, who is also the cashier’s brother, emerged from the backroom.
Upon seeing the store owner, one of the alleged robbers brandished a firearm and aimed it at him, prompting the store owner to attempt an escape.
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However, realising that he was trapped, the store owner drew his licenced firearm and fired back at the armed suspect. In the exchange of gunfire, the assailant was shot in the upper body.
The unharmed robber took advantage of the chaos and fled the scene, leaving his injured accomplice behind.
The police and medical personnel were immediately called, and upon arrival, the injured suspect was pronounced dead. A 9mm pistol with filed-off serial numbers was discovered next to the deceased.
