Two men are dead after a shootout and chase involving private security and suspects in Westville on Thursday morning.
Image: ALS Paramedics
The KwaZulu-Natal police have shed more light on the dramatic shootout in Westville on Thursday morning that left two men dead, stating that the alleged suspects had been travelling in a white BMW and had been pursued by security officers on patrol.
The private security officers had been patrolling in their vehicle on the M19 around 6.30am when they spotted the white BMW.
According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the confrontation began when the BMW, carrying three occupants, drove past security guards who were on patrol.
"The security guards reportedly followed the vehicle and the occupants of the BMW opened fire towards the security guards. A high-speed shootout between the occupants of the BMW and security guards ended at the fuel station," Netshiunda said.
The high-speed chase ended at a garage opposite the Pavilion shopping centre on Spine Road.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that they responded to the shooting incident on Spine Road to find a heavy presence of EMRS, SAPS, and security officials. Upon arrival, paramedics were directed to the BMW where they discovered one man who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. He was declared deceased on the scene.
A second occupant attempted to flee the gunfire by jumping over a wall, but the escape proved to be fatal. "A second male allegedly tried to flee and jumped over the wall and fell to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries. He was also declared deceased," Jamieson said.
The third occupant of the vehicle surrendered to authorities at the fuel station and was immediately placed under arrest. Preliminary police investigations have already uncovered significant evidence regarding the vehicle involved.
"Police's preliminary investigations revealed that the BMW vehicle was fitted with cloned number plates. Two firearms were found inside the vehicle," Netshiunda confirmed.
The area remained cordoned off for several hours on Thursday morning while forensic experts processed the scene. While the driver is in custody, the exact circumstances leading up to the initial pursuit remain the subject of SAPS investigation. Netshiunda said police are currently investigating charges of murder and attempted murder.
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