Cop saves partner, kills shooter

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Published Dec 13, 2012

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Cape Town - It was the gruesome scene after a policeman shot and killed an armed attacker.

The officer put his life on the line when the unidentified man opened fire on him and his partner while they were on patrol.

The cop, who cannot be identified for safety reasons, rushed to his partner’s aid, taking a bullet in the process. The 33-year-old, who is stationed at Bishop Lavis Police Station, was shot in his neck by the 35-year-old suspect.

The man was hit in the face and shoulder and died at the scene. Officers say the tattooed man is thought to be a gangster.

After the shootout, the suspect’s loyal dog gave police and paramedics a tough time when he refused to move away from his dead owner.

The dog sat on the bloodied man’s corpse and officers at the scene were forced to call in the dog unit to remove the animal.

By late Wednesday, the man had still not been identified.

Meanwhile, police carried out a door-to-door search for the family of the dead man.

The drama unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday morning when police were doing routine patrols.

“Police were patrolling Bonteheuwel and Bishop Lavis when on the corner of Vlamboom and Kiaat Road they conducted stop searches and asked the man’s permission to search him,” police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk tells the Daily Voice.

“He refused and then pulled out a firearm and opened fire on [police] members.”

One of the cops, also a 30-year-old, hurt his leg as he ran back to the vehicle for cover as his partner was shot by the suspect.

Sources close to the investigation have revealed that the fatal shots were allegedly from the wounded policeman who saved himself and his colleague by shooting the gunman.

Police would not release the name of the hero officer who escaped death saying both members are still in hospital.

“We have opened a case of murder and attempted murder,” Van Wyk says.

“The matter is under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.”

This is the second time in less than a week where police in the area have come under attack.

On Monday, a Kreefgat man was killed after community members clashed with police.

It’s alleged 36-year-old Jerome Brown was shot in the head by a police officer.

Cops, however, claim they were attacked by a “riotous group” who smashed their windows and assaulted officers who were trapped inside their vehicle.

Daily Voice

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