Gunmen arrested for opening fire inside police station

Gunmen who allegedly opened fire in a police station in KwaZulu-Natal were apprehended following a dramatic pursuit.

GUNMEN SHOOT IN THE DIRECTION OF OFFICERS

According to Mi7 National Group, during the early hours of this morning, Sunday, 18 September, a gunman entered the Pietermaritzburg Police Station and fired multiple shots at officers working inside.

It is believed the gunman fled on foot thereafter.

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PURSUIT BEGINS TO APPREHEND THE SHOOTER

“Safe City operators, who monitor CCTV systems across the Pietermaritzburg CBD, worked quickly to track the suspect, who got into a Nissan NP200 bakkie with another man,” Mi7 reported.

“Information regarding the description of the vehicle and the shooter was quickly circulated and Mi7 Strategic Threat Response Units were immediately dispatched to the area to assist police in the search for the vehicle.”

Mi7

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It is reported that members of the police spotted the vehicle in the lower CBD and gave chase. The suspect began firing shots toward their pursuers as the chase ensued.

“Police returned fire, and a high-speed shootout commenced, the ordeal lasting about ten minutes and coursing through from the CBD into the Scottsville area.”

Mi7

According to the private unit, the vehicle managed to get away in Scottsville and was a short while later found abandoned by police teams on Windsore Road.

Through a combined effort between various police teams, including the K9 unit and Mi7 STRU members, a widespread search ensued.

Mi7 National Group says it deployed its Mobile Command Centre to the area – a large surveillance vehicle equipped with thermal and night vision surveillance cameras as well as drone technology.

With eyes in the sky and on the ground, a Mi7 team member eventually spotted two men walking on the roadside on Steele Road, one of whom matched the description of the shooter. Mi7 reports that their member immediately got out of the vehicle, swiftly moved to disarm them and got them on the ground.

MEMBERS AT THE POLICE STATION LUCKY

“The remaining police and Mi7 teams arrived shortly after being notified and both suspects were taken into police custody. The shooter was positively identified at the station where the incident occurred,” the company further reported.

The motive for the shooting is unclear and is under investigation.

The company was thankful that nobody was injured.