It has been reported that a suspect was killed in a shootout with police at the Ntuzuma police station on Monday after he allegedly overpowered an officer and took a firearm. The suspect was killed in the subsequent shootout with police, according to ALS Paramedics.
Image: Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA)
A chaotic scene unfolded at the Ntuzuma SAPS station in the north of Durban on Monday morning after an alleged suspect disarmed a police official and opened fire inside the building.
The incident, which occurred just before 8:30 am, sparked a massive response from multiple emergency medical services and law enforcement units.
According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, reports received from the scene was that a shootout occurred after a suspect managed to gain control of a police firearm.
“Initial reports were that an alleged suspect had disarmed a police official and opened fire on all in the building,” Jamieson said.
ALS Paramedics said one police staffer sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Image: ALS Paramedics
He said paramedics were waiting nearby until the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that they could enter the building.
Once the building was declared safe, medical teams moved in to assess the casualties.
“Paramedics found that the alleged suspect had sustained fatal injuries as a result of a shootout with the police," Jamieson confirmed.
The suspect was declared deceased at the scene.
He added that approximately six other individuals, including police officials and administrative staff, were assessed by various ambulance services.
While the majority escaped physical harm, one patient sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care.
The section of the police station where the shooting occurred remains cordoned off as a crime scene. “All necessary authorities are in attendance and will be investigating this matter further,” Jamieson added.
Private security company Reaction Unit South Africa said its officers also responded to the scene.
In a statement, RUSA said it was reported that the suspect had overpowered an officer inside the station's holding cells and deprived the officer of a firearm.
The KZN provincial police said they would release a formal statement regarding the incident in due course.
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