Bedford Centre management says the incident involved a shoot-out between security company SBV and robbers. At least five people were wounded, of which one was thought to be a robber. Netcare 911’s Santi Steinmann says of the five people wounded, two are in a critical condition.
Eyewitness News reports their reporters saw at least one wounded man being carried out of the shopping centre Frightened eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as gunmen stormed into the shopping centre and fired several shots shortly before midday.
One witness said: “As I came out of the toilet I just saw people firing guns. A lady came past me and she was shot in the crossfire. Three people were shot. I think it was a robbery.”
Earlier a woman said she hid under a flight of stairs. “They have shot people. There’s a huge gang. I don’t know what they robbed but there’s one still inside here. There are still gun shots going off. It’s chaos.”
Earlier some shoppers were hiding in the store until police gave the green light.
UPDATE: Police are requesting people to avoid the Bedford Centre.
News24 Reported:
“Three customers, two security guards and two suspects were injured during the shooting. All have been taken to hospital,” said spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale.
Security guards were collecting cash inside the centre when they were confronted by a group of armed men, she said.
“A shooting ensued between them, with some customers caught in the crossfire. An undisclosed amount of money was taken by some of the suspects.”
#BedfordShooting Netcare 911 says five people were injured in the incident. Two people are in a critical condition. pic.twitter.com/Me2Qs1tF68
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 29, 2015
See Twitter #BedfordShooting for more pictures.
#Bedfordshooting Emergency services arrive at the shopping centre. pic.twitter.com/VtWYmAse9m — EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 29, 2015
@_LizaH_ @MandyWiener @ewnreporter grow up people need to see what criminals do not Bury your head in the sand — Glenn Cuthbertson (@GlennARC) January 29, 2015
