GEORGE NEWS - A 30-year-old male security officer was arrested on Saturday 24 August in connection with the death of a 20-year-old man, Serano "Boya" Williams, who was shot after violence erupted at a shop in O'Connell Street in Rosemoor.
The events unfolded during the "after tears" event for Linden Sysaar (27), who was murdered in the same street on 11 August.
During the event it started to rain and people found shelter in a nearby shop.
According to an eyewitness that was inside the store, some members of the community who were under the influence of substances became rowdy inside the shop and security was called in to control them.
A security officer from Fidelity ADT Security soon arrived on the scene.
It is unknown what happened during this process to compel the security guard to remove his weapon and fire shots. When the people nearby heard that the security guard had allegedly shot Williams, they turned into an angry mob looking for justice.
According to a police statement, the shopkeeper locked himself, customers and the security guard in the shop.
A vehicle alleged to belong to the security company was overturned, the fuel was let out and it was set alight.
The mob then attempted to break open the security gates of the shop.
According to the shop owner, Alemayehu Mathewos, some people used this opportunity to loot the shop. Stolen goods include food items, baby care supplies and cigarettes.The cash register was also broken open for the money.
Opportunists used the chaos that erupted during the pursuit of the security guard who allegedly shot the victim to loot the shop. Photo: Jacques du Toit
Mathewos has owned the shop since 2007 and said it was the first time that anything like this has happened.
A single police van that was patrolling the area came across the mob and burning vehicle and left the scene to find back-up.
Not long after that, the public order police arrived and dispersed the crowd with stun grenades and rubber bullets. A case of public violence was opened for further investigation.
The accused appeared in the George Magistrate's Court and the case was postponed to Friday 30 August for a formal bail application. The man remains in custody.
Fidelity Services has confirmed that an incident occurred on Saturday 24 August in the Garden Route area.
Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, said an investigation has been opened into the fatal shooting of a community member and the irreparable damage to the Fidelity vehicle [which burned out].
He said they are working with the SAPS on the investigation and expressed relief that the Fidelity officer was unharmed.
Read a related article: Mother heartbroken after son shot dead
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