Shoot-out in Milnerton: 4 killed, 4 wounded as cops confront gunmen

Four men were shot dead and four wounded during a shoot-out with police officers investigating an alleged extortion ring in Cape Town.

"The eight suspects were allegedly on their way to commit a mass shooting," said national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe.

Western Cape police spokesperson Brig Novella Potelwa said: "As police comb the scene and investigations continue, further details are expected to emerge."

A task team was investigating intelligence about wanted alleged extortionists, he said.

The suspects were sighted while travelling in a minibus on Thursday evening in Milnerton. 

According to preliminary reports, the suspects shot at police who were following the vehicle and the officers returned fire.

"As a result four suspects were shot dead and four others seriously wounded. The wounded suspects, all from Cape Town and aged 23, 30, 34 and 38, are under police guard in a medical facility," Potelwa said.

"Four firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized from the vehicle."

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