The cold-blooded killer responsible for the deaths of two patients and an on-duty officer, an incident that took place at the New Somerset hospital, in Cape Town, was unveiled in court as a former South African police officer.
Identity of New Somerset hospital shooter revealed
39-year-old Jean-Paul Carl Malgas made his first appearance at the Cape Town magistrate’s court, on Tuesday, facing three counts of murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as robbery.
The charges stem from an incident that took place at a ward inside the public hospital situated only a stone throw away from the V&A Waterfront.
From what’s been revealed in court thus far, it’s believed Malgas was the subject of a commotion in one of the wards and when on-duty officer Donay Phillips, who was stationed on guard in a ward nearby, came over to investigate, he was allegedly disarmed by the former cop and shot in the head, at point-blank range.
Two other patients, who at this time, are unnamed, were also killed in the shooting. After a brief standoff with responding officers, Malgas surrendered and was taken into custody.
In court, the 39-year-old was chained from the ankles up, and when asked about the uncommon sighting, lawyers on both benches informed the magistrate that restraining Malgas was in the best interest of the suspect’s safety, and those in court.
Malgas, the court heard, abandoned his bail application and was remanded in custody pending the outcome of a postmortem report, ballistic examinations and witness testimonies.
Also, the former police officer will undergo an identity parade before the media can be allowed to take pictures of him in court.
At the time this article was published, the 39-year-old New Somerset hospital shooter was held in custody, on suicide watch.
His next court appearance is scheduled for 30 June 2022.