MAN KILLED AT COURT

A 30-YEAR-OLD man was shot and killed outside Athlone Magistrate's Court on Friday morning.

- BY MARSHA BOTHMA PICTURES: HENK KRUGER

Athlone police spokesperson, Sergeant Zita Norman, said the man had arrived at court for a matter at 9.41am.

As he walked through the gate, an unknown suspect came from behind and shot him twice in the back and once in the head. The shooting has been linked to the Laughing Boys gang.

Police said there were eyewitnesses to the killing. The area was volatile after the attack, and SAPS urged communities to avoid Athlone CBD while investigations continued.

Athlone News arrived at the scene to find family members crying in distress. One of the women, shouting in anger, told the publication: "She knew what she did. Sy het geweet wat sy doen, hoekom is sy nie hier nie?"

Witness

The person she was referring to is, however, unknown to the publication. When contacted again, the family declined to comment.