MURDER WITNESS KILLED - Athlone gang hits stuns crime fighters
According to reports, 11 cartridges were found scattered across the scene, while sources revealed that the deceased was a witness in a separate murder case also being investigated by Athlone SAPS.
Image: Leon Knipe
A WITNESS in a murder case was shot dead in a suspected gang-related attack in Athlone on Wednesday night, leaving crime fighters fearing for community safety.
The man was gunned down in a hail of bullets on the corners of Belgravia Road and Voël Street in Belgravia, while a bystander was shot in the leg.
Daily Voice sources close to the investigation said: “Eleven cartridges were found on the scene. The deceased is a witness in a murder matter at Athlone SAPS. The investigation continues. The lady who was with him was a bystander and they only shot her once in the legs.”
Police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana said Athlone police registered a murder case following the first shooting incident on Wednesday night.
Mpendukana explained: “The members received an alert about the incident at 10.10pm on Wednesday, 4 February. Upon their arrival at the crime scene, they found one male who was shot several times and declared dead on the scene.
“They also found a female shot in the leg; she was rushed to the nearest hospital.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation, and no arrest has been made yet.”
Net ommie draai on St Athans Road, another shooting claimed the life of man earlier in the day.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Zita Norman said the shooting happened at around 6am, adding: “SAPS attended to a complaint at St Athans Road, Athlone, when an unknown female came out and pointed the victim out, who was shot several times.”
According to reports, the victim was transported to the hospital for treatment but later succumbed to injuries.
It is alleged that six cartridges were found on the scene, and the motive is believed to be gang-related.