First responder to Durban North shootout speaks

First responder to Durban North shootout speaks

Armed response officers who responded to a house robbery in Durban North yesterday have described how they came face-to-face with the AK47-wielding suspects.

Crime scene, police tape
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Marshall Security reacted to the robbery at a house on Lansdowne Crescent as spokesperson, Kyle van Reenen who was also at the scene explains.

"As we arrived on the scene, we were met by a suspect who was keeping a lookout. He was armed with an AK47 assault rifle. He immediately opened fire on reaction officers and special operations team members - who returned fire. After an intense shootout, where about 50 rounds were fired, the suspect was shot and killed," he said. 

Van Reenan says the accomplices then fled the scene in a getaway vehicle. 

The other suspected robbers fled towards a nearby cemetery. The body of a second suspect was found in their  getaway car there.

Van Reenen says none of the family members from the home were physically hurt during the ordeal. 

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"We were able to interact with some of the family members. Although visibly shaken up, they were counselled by the local trauma teams but they didn't sustain any physical injuries. We will be following up with them during the course of the day to see how they are doing," Van Reenan said. 

Police believe the group had targeted another home in  prior to the shootout.

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