Cape Town - After releasing their only suspect, cops have now turned to the public to help nab the Hawston killer.
On Wednesday, police made an urgent appeal for any information that will lead to arrests in connection with a shooting that claimed the lives of two people and left a top cop fighting for her life.
“Hermanus police are seeking the assistance of the community for information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect or suspects who were responsible for the murders and attempted murders which were committed on 7 February 2016 at about 1.45am,” said police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana.
Police took a 26-year-old man into custody on Sunday morning shortly after the shooting, but released him on Tuesday because they didn’t have enough evidence to link him to the shooting.
Rudi Salo, 42, and 18-year-old Randy Burgess was killed in the incident at a bike rally in Hawston.
The driver of the car they were travelling in and Randy’s mother, Hermanus SAPS acting station commander Rounita Burgess, were seriously injured.
Lieutenant Colonel Burgess is said to have been shot in the head four times and underwent an operation to remove some of the bullets.
She is reportedly in a serious but stable condition.
Meanwhile, sources told the Daily Voice that the 26-year-old man, who has a child with Randy’s twin sister, was not the shooter, and that Burgess was the target.
“Rudi and Randy were just at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said the source.
It’s believed another shooting that took place inside a tent at the biker rally in Hawston was to distract people from Burgess’ attack.
“It was done so people would panic and wouldn’t hear the gunshots outside,” said the source.
Police have confirmed the shooting inside the tent but says no arrest has been made yet.
It is also alleged that two vehicles were used to box in the car that Burgess was in.
Several shots were fired at the car, leaving the back windscreen, the front passenger window and the left rear window shattered.
A memorial service for both Randy and Rudi was held on Wednesday night.
*Anyone with information about the shootings is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Warrant Officer Werner Bothma on 082 493 4834 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
“All information will be treated confidentially,” added Rwexana.
Daily Voice