Three die in gang attack

Jacksonville killings spark reprisal fears

THREE men were shot dead in a gang-related hit in Jacksonville, Port Elizabeth, yesterday. Another man was wounded when five suspected gangsters were dropped off in a BMW X5 and opened fire on four men in Maputo Street at about 8am.

At 2pm another shooting, possibly a retaliation attack, occurred in Stinkhout Street, Gelvandale.

The police’s gang unit has taken charge of the investigations in fear that the shootings could spark further retaliation attacks.

Detectives, who cannot be named, suspect that the shootings were part of a turf war between various gangs in the northern suburbs of Port Elizabeth.

The men shot dead were between 21 and 31 and believed to be of the Gazas Gang, while the shooters are believed to be members of the Spotbouers.

Late yesterday afternoon, police had identified two of the dead men as Michael “Pockets” Hopps, 31, and Denver “Mouse” Williams, 27. The third victim the police know only as “Baby”.

They are working on establishing his real identity.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said the injured man was Enzo Kingsley, 21.

He asked that the hospital where Kingsley was being treated not be named.

Insiders say the shootings are believed to be part of a larger plan by the main gangs to form alliances with the smaller gangs.

“The five men were dropped off in Maputo Street and all had firearms,” Labans said.

“They opened fire on the four men standing outside a house, killing three and wounding one.

“More than 20 shots were fired and all three men were shot in the upper body and died at the scene.

“The BMW X5 that dropped off the men took off after the shooting.”

Labans said after the murders, a Toyota Corolla arrived and three of the shooters were picked up, while the other two fled on foot.

By 4pm, two men, aged 27 and 28, were arrested for being involved with the triple murder

“Since the shooting, a team of detectives from the gang unit have been working non stop on the case,” Labans said.

“They have been interviewing people to establish what exactly transpired and the motive for the killings.”

In the afternoon shooting in Stinkhout Street, Gelvandale, two men – aged 35 and 41 – escaped unharmed after a car followed them into a street and shots were fired at them.

“The car the two men were in cut out as it turned into a street,” Labans said.

“Another vehicle that had been following the two men pulled up.

“Five men got out the vehicle and they fired several shots at the two men.”

Labans said all the shots missed the two men, but some hit their car.

“The two men who were attacked are not known gangsters, but the shooters are known to police,” he said.

Detectives are investigating whether the two shooting incidents were linked.