At least 12 people have been killed in a mass shooting in an informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg, police in South Africa have confirmed. Another nine were injured in the attack late on Tuesday, and a manhunt for suspects is under way.
Police allege that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland. The suspects then reportedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances, moving through the area and opening fire on residents at multiple locations before fleeing in the same vehicle. Because nothing says 'stealth operation' like a minibus full of people shooting at everything that moves.
South Africa already holds the dubious honor of one of the highest murder rates in the world, with around 60 people killed per day on average. Shootings in informal settlements are highly common and are sometimes linked to gang violence and personal disputes. So common, in fact, that the local police department responded to a 'complaint of shooting in progress' at about 23:10 local time - because apparently that's a specific enough category to have its own complaint form.
Emergency medical services were deployed to treat the injured. Police said eight men and three women died at the scene, while an additional man died from his injuries in hospital. At least nine others were taken to various medical facilities for treatment of gunshot wounds. The motive for the attack is currently unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation - which is police speak for 'we have no idea yet, but we're looking.'
Last year, nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg. Because apparently the city's nightlife wasn't dangerous enough already. There are about three million legally held firearms in South Africa and at least the same number of unlicensed weapons, according to statistics cited by Gideon Joubert from the South African Gunowners' Association. So roughly one gun for every person who wants one, plus a few extra for those who don't want to bother with paperwork.