Western Cape police are intensifying their search for suspects following a brutal mass shooting in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, where six people were killed in a brazen attack on Thursday evening.
- UPDATE: The death toll in the Bishop Lavis mass shooting rose to seven shortly after this article was published, This, according to police, is after “[a] 26-year-old female victim who sustained serious head injuries succumbed to death this morning.”
Story Summary:
- Six victims were fatally shot in an informal dwelling in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, as gunmen opened fire on Thursday evening.
- The shooting follows a similar incident in Atlantis the day before, where five people were killed in a drive-by shooting, bringing the total to 11 victims in 24 hours.
- Police suspect gang violence may be behind both incidents, as Anti-Gang Unit detectives intensify their investigations into the deadly attacks.
Bishop Lavis mass shooting: Here’s what we know
The victims, four men and two women aged between 24 and 55, were gunned down inside an informal dwelling on Kogelberg Street.
Two other individuals were wounded and are receiving medical treatment.
According to police reports, the incident occurred at approximately 20:40 when an armed assailant entered the dwelling and opened fire on the occupants.
Western Cape police have launched an investigation, with Anti-Gang Unit detectives leading the case.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the motive remains unclear, though authorities suspect gang violence may be involved.
11 killed in 24 hours in Cape Town’s deadly spree
The Bishop Lavis shooting comes just a day after five people were shot and killed in a similar mass shooting in Atlantis on Wednesday evening.
The victims in that attack were ambushed while returning home from Silverstream Beach.
Unknown gunmen opened fire at the corner of Old Mamre and Silverstream Roads, killing five victims aged between 18 and 30.
Several others were wounded and rushed to a medical facility for treatment.
Both incidents have rocked Cape Town, with a total of 11 people killed in just 24 hours.
The Western Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, has ordered detectives to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to apprehend the suspects.
Authorities are investigating whether the two mass shootings are linked to ongoing gang violence in the region.
Gang-related crime has long been a serious issue in Cape Town, with rival gangs often engaging in deadly turf wars.
While no definitive link has been established between the Atlantis and Bishop Lavis shootings, detectives from the Anti-Gang Unit are actively pursuing leads.
Brigadier Novela Potelwa, spokesperson for the Western Cape police, confirmed that murder and attempted murder dockets have been opened in both cases.
Potelwa added that the investigation is ongoing, and more details about the motive behind the attacks will likely emerge as detectives continue their work.