Luke Fleurs: South African footballer shot dead in car hijacking
According to authorities, Luke Fleurs, a South African footballer, was fatally shot during a car hijacking incident, as reported by the police.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night at a petrol station in the Johannesburg suburb of Florida, where the 24-year-old Kaizer Chiefs player was waiting for service. Unidentified assailants approached him, demanding he exit his vehicle.
Following the shooting, one of the suspects reportedly fled the scene with Fleurs’ car.
Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, a spokesperson for the Gauteng police, informed local media that the perpetrators brandished a firearm, forcing Fleurs out of his vehicle before shooting him once in the upper body.
Kaizer Chiefs expressed sorrow over Fleurs’ untimely passing, labeling it as “tragic.” The club stated that law enforcement was managing the situation and pledged to provide further updates when available.
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa conveyed his sadness, lamenting the loss of yet another life to violent crime.
Fleurs, a defender, had joined Kaizer Chiefs in the previous year, having previously played for SuperSport United.
He had not yet played for the national team but was reported to be nearing his debut.
On their website, Kaizer Chiefs describe Fleurs as a “classy defender” with “great technical abilities”.
He began his career in 2013 in the Ubuntu Cape Town Academy, according to local media.
Football fans have taken to social media to mourn him.
“The football family has lost a bright flame,” soccer presenter Carol Tshabalala posted on social media platform X.
South Africa is grappling with increasing gun violence, with several mass shootings reported in recent years. The country has one of the world’s highest murder rates, according to police data.
