Luke Fleurs, a South African footballer and Olympian, was slain in a hijacking in Johannesburg, his Kaizer Chiefs club confirmed on Thursday.
Police say the 24-year-old defender was shot while waiting for medical attention at a gas station in Johannesburg’s Honeydew district.
“Luke Fleurs tragically died last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” the Kaizer Chiefs said in a statement.
According to police spokesperson Mavela Masondo, the perpetrators left in Fleur’s vehicle, and police were investigating a murder and auto hijacking.
“The suspects brandished a weapon at him, forcing him out of his vehicle before shooting him once in the upper torso.” One suspect sped away with the victim’s automobile, followed by his companion,” Masondo stated.
The footballer was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead upon arrival, he added.
Authorities have launched an investigation into murder and car hijacking. A manhunt for the suspects is underway. There have been no arrests made.
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa paid tribute to Fleurs on social media.
“I’m grieved that yet another life has been cut short by brutal crime.” My thoughts are with the Fleurs and Amakhosi families, as well as the entire South African football fraternity,” he posted on social media, using the nickname for the Kaizer Chiefs side.
Fleurs previously played for the national under-23 team, which represented South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics. Kaizer Chiefs is one of South Africa’s best teams, having won a record 53 domestic titles.
Fleurs is the most recent of thousands of tragic hijacking victims in South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest murder rates.
The most recent official crime figures show that 5,973 hijackings occurred between October and December of last year.
Gun Free South Africa, a non-profit organization that promotes less gun violence, reports that guns kill 31 people in South Africa every day.
Ten members of the same family, including a 13-year-old, perished in a mass shooting at their South African home last April.
