Gang-related shooting and brazen thefts plague Elsies River community
Gunshots ring out in Elsies River as a man is fatally shot in a suspected gang-related attack on Epping Avenue.
Image: Supplied
Gunshots echoed through Elsies River on Tuesday evening, resulting in the fatal shooting of a man in what authorities believe to be a gang-related incident, as footage emerged of a smash-and-grab incident on Epping Avenue.
Tuesday’s shooting incident happened on the corner of Halt Road and Epping Avenue at about 8.55pm. According to reports, a 40-year-old was shot in an alleged gang-related incident.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said that Elsies River police registered a case of murder following the shooting incident.
Gwala reported: “The police were called to the scene at about 8:55pm, and upon arrival, they found a body of a 40-year-old male with bullet wounds on his arm and chest.
“According to reports, the deceased was shot by two unknown male suspects. The motive for the attack is believed to be gang-related, no arrest has been made at this stage.”
Meanwhile, footage of a smash-and-grab incident on Epping Avenue showed how two skelms attempted to hijack a stationery vehicle on Sunday at about 4.45pm.
Brazen thieves attempt a smash-and-grab on Epping Avenue, highlighting the rising crime wave in Elsies River.
Image: Supplied
In the widely-shared clip, two teenagers attempted to open the vehicle and then threw stones at the driver’s window.
However, the driver wasn’t going to let them have it, as he got out and started throwing stones back at them and ran after the suspects.
Unfortunately, being outnumbered, one of the criminals grabbed an item from the vehicle and ran off to a nearby lane.
Community worker and crime activist Steve Ross said that the incident is one of many where criminals are so brazen as they either hit victims with a pole or are held at gunpoint.
He said: “The question remains, why are there no consequences, unfortunately the victims don’t open cases, which make it impossible for charges to be made.
“Our hands as civilians are tied, but obviously the community is going to get much more noise in the future.”
Police are yet to confirm if a case was opened.