Cop was 'caught in gunfight'
2007-11-15 12:08
Durban - A Durban policeman was shot twice in the chest while trying to apprehend armed robbers fleeing a crime scene, police said on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said the officer was responding to an armed robbery at the Pavilion Shopping complex in Westville when the incident took place before 10:00.
"He was caught in a gunfight with robbers trying to escape the crime scene," said Mdunge.
He said an unknown number of robbers struck at Beverley Jewellers, opposite Edgars, inside the Pavilion mall.
"At this stage, we don't know if money or jewellery has been taken," said Mdunge.
An off-duty policewoman who had been shopping at the time told Sapa that dozens of Christmas shoppers ran for cover when several shots were fired inside the mall.
"Some dropped their packets and ducked behind huge pot plants and others ran into nearby stores," she said.
Staffers at nearby shops were seen rolling down their shutters and closing their doors.
The policewoman said the jewellery store window was riddled with bullet holes and bullet cartridges were lying all over the ground.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said the officer was shot twice in the chest and was in a serious condition.
- SAPA