The man was being transported to hospital by an ambulance after he sustained injures in a brawl with a security guard in Benoni.
The reason for the violent conflict between the two men is still unknown, but when police arrived at the scene they placed him under arrest for assault, before he was transported to Tambo Memorial Hospital.
“While the ambulance was waiting for the traffic light to turn green, at the corner of Trichardts Road and Railway Street, the man jumped out of the stationary ambulance in an attempt to flee,” said Boksburg SAPS spokesperson Lieut Kwendzakwakhe Ngobese.
A police officer who was escorting the ambulance transporting the man to hospital opened fire on him as he flee.
“He ran towards the nearby veld and the officer fired three shots at him, hitting the man in the leg,” said Ngobese.
The man, who was bleeding profusely, was recaptured and transported to hospital, where he died about two hours later.
Ngobese said at this stage, it is unclear as to whether the man died due to the head injuries he sustained during the brawl, or the bullet wound in his left leg.
A murder case has been opened and investigation continues.
According to Ngobese, the shooting will be investigated by the Independent Police Investigations Directorate.
