Shoot out on the N7 - an attempted hijacking
By Rhodé Marshall
12 February 2008
It has been confirmed that the shooting incident that occurred on the N7 during rush hour traffic on Tuesday morning was an attempted hijacking that went fatally wrong.
Police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn says that at 7:45am the shooting took place between Metro police officers and the suspect, near to the Bothasig and Milnerton area.
“It is alleged an unknown male stopped a passing red Volkswagen Jetta by walking in front of the vehicle and pointing the female driver with a firearm and attempted to hijack it on the Bosmansdam road near the N7 highway,” says Steyn.
Metro police officers who were in the area saw what was unfolding and walked towards the suspect who then ran in the direction of the N7.
“The suspect fired several shots at the officials who returned fire. On the highway he then tried to hijack a green Toyota bakkie after which he ran back to Bosmansdam road,” explains Steyn.
The alleged hijacker then damaged a window of a parked Metro police vehicle and attempted to steal it. Eventually he managed to hijack a minibus taxi and the metro police then gave further chase.
“Several shots were fired between the suspect and the police. On the corners of Vryburger and Bosmansdam road the suspect was wounded in his upper body and he died on the scene,” says Steyn.
Cases of attempted hijacking, theft of motor vehicle, hijacking and an inquest docket for investigation have been opened.
Shaken motorists who witnessed the ensuing chaos called in to local radio stations to report the incident, which resulted in the temporary closure of the N7.
12 February 2008
It has been confirmed that the shooting incident that occurred on the N7 during rush hour traffic on Tuesday morning was an attempted hijacking that went fatally wrong.
Police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn says that at 7:45am the shooting took place between Metro police officers and the suspect, near to the Bothasig and Milnerton area.
“It is alleged an unknown male stopped a passing red Volkswagen Jetta by walking in front of the vehicle and pointing the female driver with a firearm and attempted to hijack it on the Bosmansdam road near the N7 highway,” says Steyn.
Metro police officers who were in the area saw what was unfolding and walked towards the suspect who then ran in the direction of the N7.
“The suspect fired several shots at the officials who returned fire. On the highway he then tried to hijack a green Toyota bakkie after which he ran back to Bosmansdam road,” explains Steyn.
The alleged hijacker then damaged a window of a parked Metro police vehicle and attempted to steal it. Eventually he managed to hijack a minibus taxi and the metro police then gave further chase.
“Several shots were fired between the suspect and the police. On the corners of Vryburger and Bosmansdam road the suspect was wounded in his upper body and he died on the scene,” says Steyn.
Cases of attempted hijacking, theft of motor vehicle, hijacking and an inquest docket for investigation have been opened.
Shaken motorists who witnessed the ensuing chaos called in to local radio stations to report the incident, which resulted in the temporary closure of the N7.
Comments
I tell you, it wasn't a pleasant place to be. Yes, everyone was shaken up and motorists pulled off onto the sides of roads to avoid being injured. Honestly, there were so many shots, that i decided to drop the seat backwards and i lied down just in case.
I am just thankful i never saw anyone being injured and i am glad i was one of the first motorists who jumped at the opportunity to pass the scene after a long pause in the shots...
In reading your story, it seemed to have gotten MUCH worse? "The alleged hijacker then damaged a window of a parked Metro police vehicle and attempted to steal it. Eventually he managed to hijack a minibus taxi and the metro police then gave further chase"