Suspect in Verulam hostage drama takes own life
Police have launched an investigation into a six-hour hostage ordeal in Verulam that ended with the gunman allegedly taking his own life.
The man, who was in his mid-sixties, is said to have held four people against their will at a home in Mountview on Tuesday.
The hostages included a 12-year-old child and a granny.
Reaction Unit South Africa's Prem Balram says one of the hostages, an 18-year-old boy, was shot and wounded.
"Reaction Officers then communicated with the man and the eventually, approximately after 45 minutes, he negotiated the release of the child that was shot. He was treated on scene by paramedics for a gunshot wound on his left hand and removed to a medical facility."
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Police spokesperson Robert Netsuinda says the SAPS Special Task Force and hostage negotiators then arrived on scene.
"Following a lengthy negotiation for the safe release of the captives a gunshot sound was heard from inside the house and when the police managed to get in they found the suspect lying in a pool of blood with a gun next to him."
Netshuinda says charges of attempted murder, inquest and possession of an unlicensed firearm have been opened.
He says the incident is suspected to be a domestic matter.
