Security guard discharges firearm in shop; two boys injured
A security officer was arrested after he allegedly discharged his firearm, resulting in two boys being injured.
To aggravate the matter, the guard, who is a Congo national, was carrying a firearm without a valid permit and is also in the country without proper documentation.
EMPD spokesperson Wilfred Kgasago said the officer caused pandemonium and terror inside a busy shop on MC Botha Avenue, in Vosloorus, on Friday afternoon (April 1).
He explained that the guard was allegedly fiddling with his firearm when a shot went off.
The bullet ricocheted of the floor tiles, which cracked and sent shrapnel flying, injuring the foot of a 15-year-old boy, as well as the hand of a 12-year-old boy.
“Following the incident, members of the community were baying for the security officer’s blood, with the intention of lynching him,” said Kgasago.
“Fortunately, members of the EMPD Public Order Policing were alerted and quelled the situation.”
The security officer was arrested and his work firearm was confiscated by members of EMPD unit.
He was charged with discharging a firearm in a municipal area and carrying a firearm without a valid permit.
Kagasgo said investigations are afoot to establish why the security officer is in the country without proper documentation, and why he did not have a valid permit for the firearm.
He was charged at the Vosloorus SAPS and is expected to appear in the Vosloorus Magistrates Court soon.
