POLICE from the East London K-9 unit yesterday shot and wounded a man after he allegedly pointed a firearm at them in Quigney.
The incident took place just before midday near the Orient Theatre after police received a tip-off from residents that an armed man was walking in the area and “posing danger”.
Police responded and caught up with the man in Ganteaume Crescent. As they approached him, he allegedly drew a firearm and pointed it at the officers.
Police did not hesitate and shot at him, hitting the man in his upper leg.
Eyewitness Norman Bradley, who was standing outside a hotel not far from the scene, said he thought the man was going to shoot at police first.
“As he pointed the firearm, the next thing that came to my mind was that he was going to shoot but they were vigilant and shot first,” said Bradley.
“He stumbled and fell down.
“It’s good that they found him, imagine what that firearm he had could do to society.”
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed the incident.
“At this stage police are busy with their investigation of who this person is and how he got hold of the firearm.
“The firearm will be taken for ballistic testing to see if it was ever used to commit any other crimes,” said Mqala.
When a Daily Dispatch team arrived on the scene, the wounded suspect had already been loaded into an ambulance and taken to Frere Hospital.
“He will be under police guard in hospital,” said Mqala.
Another eyewitness, a student who would only give his name as Mangaliso, said they had heard one shot.
“We immediately knew that it was a gunshot but we thought it was thugs trying to rob someone.
“Within a second three or four police vehicles were here,” he said.
A police officer at the scene said it was believed the suspect had been released from jail last week but Mqala could not confirm the information.
“Only our investigations will reveal more details of who the person is or if he was just released from jail.” — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Police shoot suspect after Quigney firearm tip-off
The incident took place just before midday near the Orient Theatre after police received a tip-off from residents that an armed man was walking in the area and “posing danger”.
Police responded and caught up with the man in Ganteaume Crescent. As they approached him, he allegedly drew a firearm and pointed it at the officers.
Police did not hesitate and shot at him, hitting the man in his upper leg.
Eyewitness Norman Bradley, who was standing outside a hotel not far from the scene, said he thought the man was going to shoot at police first.
“As he pointed the firearm, the next thing that came to my mind was that he was going to shoot but they were vigilant and shot first,” said Bradley.
“He stumbled and fell down.
“It’s good that they found him, imagine what that firearm he had could do to society.”
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed the incident.
“At this stage police are busy with their investigation of who this person is and how he got hold of the firearm.
“The firearm will be taken for ballistic testing to see if it was ever used to commit any other crimes,” said Mqala.
When a Daily Dispatch team arrived on the scene, the wounded suspect had already been loaded into an ambulance and taken to Frere Hospital.
“He will be under police guard in hospital,” said Mqala.
Another eyewitness, a student who would only give his name as Mangaliso, said they had heard one shot.
“We immediately knew that it was a gunshot but we thought it was thugs trying to rob someone.
“Within a second three or four police vehicles were here,” he said.
A police officer at the scene said it was believed the suspect had been released from jail last week but Mqala could not confirm the information.
“Only our investigations will reveal more details of who the person is or if he was just released from jail.” — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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