A robbery suspect was fatally shot on Friday afternoon in Ogunjini, KwaZulu-Natal, after attempting to rob a security officer using a toy firearm.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the incident unfolded as a security officer from a Durban-based company was returning home. The man was confronted by a suspect who brandished what appeared to be a real gun and demanded his belongings.
The security officer, who is licensed to carry a firearm, responded by drawing his 9mm pistol and firing two shots, both striking the suspect in the chest.
Despite being critically wounded, the suspect fled into nearby bushes, where he later collapsed and died. RUSA received a call for assistance around 20:19 and quickly dispatched officers to the scene.
The suspect was found approximately five meters from the road, and authorities confirmed that the weapon used in the attempted robbery was a toy gun.
The security officer shared that he had been robbed by four armed men just a week prior on the same road, which led him to carry his licensed firearm for protection. He was unharmed during the incident.
This case highlights the ongoing risks faced by civilians and security personnel, and the difficult decisions made in moments of self-defense.
