UPDATE: The police officer succumbed to gunshot wounds while in hospital, the police confirmed Sunday morning.
MAYHEM broke out at a Cape Town hospital on Saturday night when a man disarmed a police officer, shot him in the head before shooting and killing two patients.
The incident occurred at the Somerset Hospital. The 32-year-old officer, from Sea Point police station, was taking an unknown suspect to hospital for treatment.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Poletwa said the deceased patients were yet to be identified.
“Two yet-to-be identified patients were shot dead and a police official was seriously injured on Saturday evening inside a local hospital when a 40-year-old man took the firearm of a police official and fired several shots,” she said.
“Reports from the scene indicate that (the officer) had taken a 35-year-old suspect to Somerset hospital for medical attention when a man in the ward grabbed the firearm of a police official and shot him through the head.
“The man then shot two patients who were in close proximity. Both died on the scene and the 32-year-old police official was seriously injured. SAPS officials on the scene subsequently disarmed the perpetrator and arrested him.
Shortly after the incident Premier Alan Winde told Weekend Argus he had rushed to the hospital.
“I’m deeply unsettled about this unfortunate incident. I condemn this to the fullest,” he said adding that one life lost was one too many.
MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight Reagan Allan also decried the incident.
“I condemn (Saturday’s) shooting of the SAPS officer that occurred (at) the Somerset Hospital, in the strongest possible terms,” he said.
“The disregard for life is deplorable. It is gut wrenching that an officer should lose his life in this manner. When criminals attack the police, they directly attack the democratic state and this cannot become the norm.”
Allan said it is further unacceptable that the incident happened in a place where the most vulnerable go to be assisted.
“I’d like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family and all loved ones who has been affected by this hideous crime. I hope to visit the family as soon as they’ve been informed.It’s awful and heartbreaking.”
Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile also told Weekend Argus that the matter was receiving his undivided attention.
The Western Cape department of health and wellness confirmed the alleged shooter was getting ready for discharged when he got into an altercation with the police officer.