Congregants shot during church service in Durban
Three individuals were injured in a shocking church shooting during a prayer meeting north of Durban, prompting an urgent police investigation into the incident.
Image: supplied
THREE people were shot after armed suspects stormed a church during a prayer meeting north of Durban on Tuesday evening.
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were dispatched to the premises at approximately 7:49pm.
RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram said that upon arrival, officers were informed that a gunman wearing a balaclava had entered the house of prayer and attempted to rob the congregation of about 35 people.
"Churchgoers attempted to overpower the suspect when two additional armed males entered and opened fire," says Balram
The trio fled the scene empty-handed. The injured victims were transported privately to a medical facility before first responders arrived. The suspects’ getaway vehicle was described as either a Suzuki Ertiga or a Toyota Avanza.
Police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said that when one of the congregants tried to grab the suspect, the other suspect shot at him and two others.
Ndlovu confirmed that one of the victims has since died.
He said the motive of the shooting was unknown, although robbery could not be ruled out.
Verulam police confirmed they were investigating cases of murder and attempted murder following the incident.