Two Gauteng shootings prompt renewed concerns over firearm safety

Two separate incidents in Gauteng have again put firearm safety in the spotlight after shots were fired at a Pretoria home and a social media influencer was allegedly killed in a parking-lot shooting.

Woman disarmed after firing at Lynnwood home

Emergency services responded on Tuesday to reports of gunshots in Lynnwood, east of Pretoria. Responders from the Pretoria Volunteer Emergency Services (PVES), other emergency services and police attended a property after neighbours heard shots.

PVES reported that one person experienced a medical emergency and required treatment. That patient was stabilised at the scene and transported to a medical facility under advanced life support supervision, escorted by police.

Tshwane police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed that a woman aged 59 was safely disarmed and taken for psychiatric evaluation after allegedly discharging a firearm at her Lynnwood home on Tuesday evening.

According to van Dyk, members of the community alerted police after hearing gunshots coming from a property on Camelia Street, and a domestic worker told officers the homeowner had allegedly discharged a firearm on the premises.

Through their intervention, they were able to successfully engage with the woman, calm the situation and safely disarm her.

Van Dyk said preliminary information gathered at the scene indicated the woman appeared disoriented, was unable to recall the events and was displaying irrational behaviour. He said a decision was taken for her to be sedated and transported to Pretoria Moot Hospital for medical observation.

Influencer allegedly shot in Witbank parking lot

Social media has been flooded with condolences after the death of social media influencer Ricardo Spies, who was allegedly shot in the face and killed after a fight reportedly broke out in a parking lot at Hennies in Witbank on Saturday.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said a suspect was arrested and charged with murder after the shooting outside the restaurant.

Police received a complaint about the shooting. On arrival, they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the face. The victim, aged 27, was taken to a medical care centre where he later died.

What officials say

Both incidents have drawn attention to firearm safety and emergency response: in Pretoria police negotiators were used to calm and disarm a suspect displaying irrational behaviour, and in Witbank police arrested a suspect and laid murder charges following the fatal shooting.

Ongoing response

Emergency services managed the medical evacuation in Lynnwood under advanced life support, while police continue processes related to the Witbank shooting arrest and charge.