Shop owner shot during gunfight with hijackers
A Port Elizabeth businessman was shot and wounded after stumbling upon a hijacking which fast spiralled into a gunfight in Govan Mbeki Avenue on Tuesday.
The shootout happened at about 9.30am, when five men attempted to hijack a courier van at the intersection of Evatt Street and Govan Mbeki Avenue across from Brister House.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the courier van driver and his assistant had delivered packages to nearby shops when one was accosted while walking back to the vehicle.
“The driver and the passenger had gone their separate ways to do deliveries at different shops in the vicinity.
“While the driver was walking back to the van, he was approached from behind by a gunman who placed the firearm against his back and told him to walk,” Naidu said.
“A person sitting on the pavement then joined in, as well as another two suspects.
“One suspect got into the van while the other three held the driver at gunpoint and forced him to walk to the back to the van.
“He had given them the vehicle’s keys,” she said.
During the incident, a business owner who saw what happened ran out to assist.
Naidu said the 48-year-old man fetched his firearm inside the shop and ran back outside.
“He yelled at the suspects, prompting three of them to run away,” she said.
“A gunfight then ensued between him and the last suspect.
“Shots were fired and the shop owner was struck in the abdomen and leg.”
Naidu said the remaining suspect fled.
“It is unclear if any of the suspects were injured in the shooting,” she said.
“The wounded man was taken to hospital in a private vehicle. The suspects escaped empty-handed.”
A case of attempted hijacking and attempted murder is being investigated.