|
Guard dies in mall shoot-out
02/09/2005 13:18 - (SA)
Johannesburg - A security guard was shot dead and two others wounded in a shootout at the Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg, on Friday.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Chris Wilken told reporters at the scene an attempted robbery took place at 10:55.
"An SBV security guard entered the mall to deposit money and shortly afterwards several shots were fired.
"One security guard was shot dead and two others were shot in the leg".
Wilken said it appeared as though between four and seven suspects, who all escaped in a white Nissan bakkie, were involved in the attempted robbery. No money was stolen.
He said two security guards, aged between 25 and 30, were taken to a nearby hospital.
Wilken said a crime prevention operation was under way in the mall to see if any robbers could be hiding.
He said, however, that police believed all the robbers had fled.
A woman, who had been inside a branch of First National Bank when the robbery happened, said she heard one shot.
"We heard one gunshot when our teller jumped over the counter to lock the door of bank.
"We ran upstairs where we got a bird's eye view".
The usually busy coffee shops in the area were deserted as crowds gathered around police tape in attempt to catch a glimpse of what was happening.
Wilken could not confirm reports the security guards had been on their way to the Nedbank branch inside the mall.
He said no visitors to the shopping centre, which is popular among tourists, were injured.
A Sapa journalist at the scene said just a few metres from the mall's entrance some shoppers sitting at nearby restaurants continued to eat their salads unfazed by the incident.
He said others demanded to be let into the mall to do their shopping.
"Is this going to take long?" one woman asked.
Police said the mall would remain closed until they had finished gathering evidence.
- SAPA
|
News
