On Saturday afternoon, a dramatic incident occurred at the Community Service Centre (CSC) of Richmond Police Station, in which one man died and a police officer was injured.

According to police reports, the deceased, who posed as a customer seeking assistance, came to the CSC and asked for help in contacting his mother. However, without warning, he overpowered an officer and snatched his weapon, which led to a struggle for control of the weapon.

During the scuffle, a policewoman was shot in the finger and the suspect began shooting at other police officers inside the CSC where members of the public were present.

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The police then returned fire, fatally wounding the man. Eyewitnesses report that the suspect claimed to be fleeing from unknown attackers and stated that he would rather die at the hands of the police than at the hands of his pursuers.

“The injured officer is receiving medical attention and the entire police shift that was on duty Saturday night is receiving psychological support to help them deal with the trauma they have experienced,” said police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda.

Netshiunda also stated that the police have filed three charges of attempted murder of police officers and are investigating the circumstances of the incident. The public expressed their shock and concern over the incident and stressed the risks police officers face in the line of duty.

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In conversation with The witness, Richmond resident Mpilo Mnikathi said he never believed something like this could happen in his community.

“I was not there personally, but I live not far from the police station, so I heard the gunshots. It is shocking that something like this happened in a police station. This is where we should feel safest,” Mnikathi said.

Richmond Municipality Mayor Melikhaya Ngcongo said the municipality was cooperating with police in investigating the case.

We do not know where this person came from. We offer our condolences to the family, but we applaud the police officers who were at the station at the time for what they did.

“This person put the lives of the police officers and community members who were there to get help at risk. We are still trying to find his family,” Ngcongo said.

Ngcongo added that the police station was temporarily closed on Saturday but reopened on Sunday.