A gunman was shot dead after a standoff with Western Cape police on a farm in De Hoop, Robertson, on Monday night.
Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
A gunman was shot dead after a standoff with Western Cape police on a farm in De Hoop, Robertson, on Monday night.
Police went to the farm Sunday evening after they received a complaint that the man was shooting at a neighbour’s car. The incident “escalated into a gun battle that continued into Monday evening, leaving a trail of damaged police vehicles and an injured policeman”, said police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa.
Robertson police who responded to the first complaint on Sunday evening came under fire from the gunman and called for backup.
Members of the tactical response team (TRT) were deployed, but were shot at by the same gunman.
One officer was injured in the shoulder and is receiving medical attention in the hospital.
“The operational response was escalated with the special task force (STF) also deployed on Monday afternoon. A heavy gun battle ensued as the gunman shot at STF members, damaging a police armoured vehicle (Nyala). Two women who were in a neighbouring house were subsequently rescued, with STF members tactfully gaining entry to the house where the 40-year-old gunman was. He was shot in the shootout and died on the scene,” said Potelwa.
An inquest docket has been opened for investigation and Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) officials were summoned to the scene.
An assault rifle, a shotgun, two pistols, magazines, different types of ammunition, flags, and notebooks with inscriptions were seized.
Nicole McCain
www.news24.com
