By Caryn Dolley and Karen Breytenbach
Police say a gang of 13 is suspected of an attempt to rob a security guard outside an Engen garage in Buitenkant Street, Vredehoek on Monday which ended in a shootout that sent bystanders running for cover.
The guard, 35, was shot three times in the stomach as he was about to collect money. His attackers managed to escape.
Police spokesperson Bernadine Steyn said about 13 attackers had been involved. Officers were searching for them.
Steyn said two security guards from a private company had been in their service vehicle, an Isuzu bakkie, when they stopped at the Engen garage in upper Buitenkant Street.
As one got out of the bakkie to collect money, a white Mercedes-Benz had drawn up next to him and the occupants of the car had shot at the security guard and bakkie a number of times.
The guard had returned their fire, Steyn said.
They had then driven off in the Mercedes-Benz, and the guard had been rushed to hospital, where he was reported to be in a stable condition.
The gun the attackers used was found at the scene. Steyn said its serial number had been filed off.
Shortly after the shooting the Mercedes-Benz had been found abandoned in Alexandra Avenue, Oranjezicht, and police were investigating whether a second getaway vehicle had been used, she said.
A shocked witness said she had been in Buitenkant Street when she heard gunshots and saw a bakkie being hit by bullets.
A section of the street, including the District Six Museum and the front entrance of the police station, had been cordoned off.
Crime scene experts scoured the road, and the Isuzu bakkie could be seen with a cracked back window and a dented passenger seat window with a web of cracks where a bullet had struck it.
A robbery case was being investigated.
That is not far from where I live.
