Law enforcement officials cordoned off sections of Tasha’s restaurant in Rosebank Mall, GP, on Thursday afternoon, following an alleged assassination.
UPDATE: Latest reports from News24 suggest the name of the victim was Jason Lambe, a male of Asian descent. It was also confirmed the victim had a South African driver’s licence and a UAE residency permit.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello, in a statement, revealed the suspects are still at large and the motive has yet to be uncovered.
“The motive for the murder is unknown at this stage. A case of murder will be investigated, and the police appeal to anyone who may have information that can assist with the investigation to please contact the Crime Stop line,” he said.
Tasha’s Rosebank shooting: Who was the targeted victim?
Details around the incident are still very sketchy at this time. However, according to reports from eyewitnesses who were at the scene when the incident happened, a man dressed in business casual walked into Tasha’s and placed a takeaway order.
The man, it’s believed, was seated at the restaurant, waiting for his order, when at least two gunmen approached his table and unleashed a hail of bullets at him. By the time medics had arrived shortly after 10:23, it was too late.
According to the restaurant’s manager, the armed hitmen casually strolled away and sped off an unidentified vehicle.
Here is the manager, only known as Jason at this time, detailing the horrific events that unfolded inside Tasha’s in Rosebank.
Two gunmen entered into a restaurant at the Rosebank Mall firing multiple shots at a customer who had just ordered his food. After the shooting, the men walked away to a getaway car and they drove off. A Mall Manager Jason said it was a terrible experience hearing many gunshots. pic.twitter.com/i17kECa75O
— BEAST OF NEWS (@EversonLuhanga) June 9, 2022
Johannesburg police had not issued a formal statement with information gathered thus far on the shooting. While all indications suggest this may have been an assassination, everything is left to speculation, at this time.
Footage of the aftermath, which was caught on camera and posted on social media by reporter Govan Whittles, shows the tense scenes that played out, outside Tasha’s restaurant, an establishment that’s earned its reputation as a popular Rosebank Mall hangout spot.
Police currently questioning the other patrons at #Tashas. The man’s body is yet to be removed from the scene. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/Eo7A43qdCZ
— Govan Whittles (@van1go) June 9, 2022
This is a developing story.