An unknown man was shot dead while allegedly trying to rob a grocery store in Violetbank in Bushbuckridge today, Wednesday 28 February 2024 at about 15:15.
Two unknown males allegedly entered a foreign-owned grocery store where they bought cigarettes and sweets from the employee at the cash register.
The store owner, who is also the employee’s brother, allegedly emerged from the backroom of the shop while the two would-be robbers were still in the store. When he appeared, one of the alleged robbers drew a firearm and pointed it at the store owner.
The store owner reportedly attempted to escape, but the armed suspect fired several shots towards the owner who, after realising he had been cornered, drew his licensed firearm and returned fire.
The suspect was shot on his upper body. The other alleged robber fled the scene.
Police and medical personnel were summoned to the scene and the suspect was declared dead on the scene. A firearm with filed off serial numbers was found next to the deceased.
Attempted murder, attempted robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm, and inquest dockets were opened at Bushbuckridge SAPS.
Both firearms were seized and will undergo ballistic testing.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has already assembled a team of investigators to trace the other suspect.