Man killed, four injured in three shooting incidents in northern areas

ONE person was killed and four were wounded in three separate shooting incidents in Port Elizabeth’s troubled northern areas at the weekend.

The murder victim, who remains unknown, died on Saturday night after being shot several times in the head in Korsten.

Two shootings happened within minutes of each other in Helenvale at about 8.15pm on Sunday.

According to police, two men – known to be part of a gang operating in the area – walked down Fitchard Street in Helenvale where they confronted another two standing outside a house.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said that as the two gunmen approached the house, they started shooting.

“[A] 35-year-old man was wounded in his thigh and right foot while [a] 20-year-old sustained gunshot wounds to his wrist and thigh.

“Both suspects fled on foot after the shooting,” she said.

Within minutes, another shooting took place in Ibex Street – one street away.

“Again, two people were standing outside their house in the driveway when two suspects approached them. Shots were fired at them and [a] 24-year-old person sustained a gunshot wound in his stomach. The second person, an 18-year-old, was wounded in his foot,” Naidu said.

Detectives suspect that the same two gunmen were involved in both shootings.

Saturday’s murder victim – an unknown man, aged between 35 and 40 – was found in an open field next to the Allan Hendricks flats in Durban Road, Korsten.

“It is suspected that the man may have been running from the suspects as he was cornered between a fence and a wall,” Naidu said.

She said they were investigating whether all three incidents were linked.