It is alleged that the suspect and an accomplice entered the store as potential buyers. It is believed that they distracted the store owner and assaulted him.
It is unclear exactly as to what transpired but in the ensuing confusion it is believed that the owner managed to reach and fire his own weapon. The suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and managed to escape to a floor below before being apprehended by the building’s security company.
ER24 paramedics arrived to find the store owner with severe lacerations to his head and were able to stabilise him on the scene. The patient was then rushed through to a nearby hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The suspect was treated for severe blood loss with the bullet still lodged in his body. The patient is in a critical condition and under police guard. In treating the suspect paramedics efforts were initially hampered by what was believed to be traditional medicine trinkets designed for protection.
The alleged accomplice escaped injury but was detained by the police for further questioning.
SAPS from Durban Central are investigating the incident further.
It has been brought to our attention that shortly after arriving at hospital; the patient succumbed to his gunshot wound.
Derrick Banks
ER24