At least 15 people were killed in one of the deadliest mass shootings this year after three men opened fire on patrons at a South African bar.
The deadly incident takes place in Soweto, Johannesburg, where three men armed with rifles and handguns stormed a local bar and started shooting “randomly” at everyone in the building.
Recalling the horrific ordeal, one witness revealed how a shooter armed with an assault rifle opened fire before he was joined by two other gunmen who started killing off victims that were cowering on the floor.
According to the preliminary reports, at least 15 people were killed in the mass shooting while dozens more remain injured.
“I was seated at the corner with other people drinking. We had fun until around 10 pm, when our fun was abruptly stopped. I saw a man carrying an AK-47 opening the glass sliding door,” a witness who chose to remain anonymous told News 24.
“He didn’t say anything and started opening fire. My friend and others at the pool table scattered for cover. He sprayed them with bullets.”
The witness continued: “I saw them falling to the ground. It was pandemonium. I hid under a table. Four dead people were lying near me.
“Their blood spilled on me. After the man with an assault rifle was done. Two others carrying 9mm pistols joined and repeatedly fired at people on the floor.”
After the gunfire broke out, people were forced to scramble over the dead lying on the floor in an attempt to seek shelter under the tables and chairs.
“People died in front of me. Some were screaming in pain. Alcohol was scattered. After killing people, including my friend, the gunmen slowly walked away,” the witness recalled.
Speaking of the bloody confrontation was also 26-year-old Thobani Mhlabiso who works as a waiter at the bar in question.
“I had to jump over those bodies. There was blood everywhere,” he said.
After the shooting, the three gunmen walked away and made a run for it in a Toyota Quantum minibus. As of this writing, the suspects remain armed and at large.
“As a nation, we cannot allow violent criminals to terrorize us in this way, regardless of where such incidents may occur,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.
“As government, citizens and structures of civil society, we must all work together even more closely to improve social and economic conditions in communities, reduce violent crime and stamp out the illicit circulation of firearms.”
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.
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