Authorities are investigating a violent series of events that unfolded Monday evening in Ivory Park, where police responding to gunfire were allegedly met with armed suspects who opened fire on officers.
According to the Gauteng Highway Patrol, officers were performing routine patrol duties on March 9, 2026, at approximately 7:23 p.m. when they heard multiple gunshots in the area. The officers stopped their patrol vehicle and proceeded to investigate along Freedom Drive.
When police arrived, they reportedly saw several people running away from the area. Witnesses then pointed officers toward three male suspects who were allegedly firing shots nearby. Police say that when the suspects noticed the presence of law enforcement, they began shooting at the officers.
Officers returned fire, striking and wounding one of the suspects during the exchange. The injured suspect was taken to a nearby hospital where he remains under police guard while receiving treatment.
Police say the suspect was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with the serial number filed off, along with three magazines containing several rounds of live 9mm ammunition. Authorities have charged him with attempted murder and possession of illegal ammunition, and additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
Investigators believe the suspects may be connected to an earlier fatal shooting that occurred the same day at a nearby taxi rank. In that incident, witnesses reported that unknown men arrived at the taxi rank and fired multiple shots toward a queue marshal, who died at the scene. The suspects then fled the area in a vehicle.
Police recovered multiple spent cartridges from the taxi rank shooting scene. Officials confirmed that the firearm belonging to the deceased queue marshal was not stolen during the attack.
The victim’s body was transported to a government mortuary for further examination while detectives continue working to identify the remaining suspects who fled the scene.
Authorities say the investigation remains active as they examine whether the gunfight with police and the earlier taxi rank killing are directly connected. Residents with information are urged to come forward to assist investigators.
