Twelve Killed and Nine Injured in Terrifying Late-Night Attack

At least 12 people are dead and nine others are injured after gunmen opened fire on a South African community in a horrifying late-night attack.

The mass shooting happened around 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, a suburb east of Johannesburg, according to South African police.

When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical workers were called to the scene to treat the injured.

Police said 11 people were declared dead at the scene, including eight adult men and three adult women. A twelfth victim, another man, later died at a hospital.

At least nine other people were wounded and taken to different hospitals.

Authorities said preliminary information indicates that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland before the attack.

The suspects allegedly moved through both entrances of the informal settlement and opened fire on residents and other community members at multiple locations before fleeing in the same vehicle.

Police have not announced any arrests.

The motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

An informal settlement is a residential area where people live in housing built without official rights to the land.

The shooting has horrified the Johannesburg community and sparked a police manhunt for the attackers.

The Associated Press reported that police described the shooting as “insane, heartless and barbaric.” Authorities are also looking into whether the violence may have any connection to turf wars involving illegal mining gangs in the area.

South Africa has struggled with high levels of violent crime, and mass shootings have continued to raise fear in communities already dealing with crime and insecurity.