KZN Shooting: Two Senior Police Officers Gunned Down in Hammarsdale While Attending Murder Scene at Night Vigil
A tragic shooting in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has left four people dead, including two senior police officers.
The officers, who were attending a murder scene at a night vigil in Cliffdale, Hammarsdale on Saturday night, were gunned down by a suspect who later returned to the crime scene.
Two Senior Cops Among the Deceased
According to KZN police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, the officers had responded to a call about a murder scene when they came under attack.
Among the deceased were the Hammarsdale station commander and a detective commander who was assigned to the scene. Both officers, who were in their fifties, were fatally wounded when the perpetrator opened fire.
A third officer who was present at the scene managed to escape unharmed.
Suspect Returns to Scene and Opens Fire
The shooting occurred just after 7:30 pm while the officers were processing the crime scene. Police insiders revealed that a family member at the scene identified a person wearing a surgical mask as the suspect. As the detective commander drew his weapon, the suspect ran toward him, firing a revolver. Despite returning fire, the officer was fatally shot. The station commander attempted to assist his colleague but was also killed by the shooter.
Additional Victims Identified
Following the shooting of the officers, the suspect shot and killed another elderly woman at the scene before fleeing. The two deceased women, believed to be a mother and daughter, were found with gunshot wounds near the tent where a funeral was taking place.
Swift Arrest of Suspect
Police immediately mobilized all available resources to track down the suspect. They received a tip-off that a man fitting the description of the shooter was receiving medical treatment at St Mary’s Hospital. Officers swiftly responded and arrested the suspect, who is now in custody pending further investigation.
Reaction and Condolences
ALS Paramedics spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson, who responded to the scene, confirmed that the two police officers were declared deceased at the scene, along with the two women.
Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, expressed his sorrow over the brutal killings.
“It is very sad indeed to attend scenes of crimes where police officers are gunned down just because they have responded to the call of duty,” he said.
He extended his condolences to the families of our 2 police officers.
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