Only later did authorities confirm where the massacre took place: outside a crowded pub near Johannesburg in South Africa. Nine people were killed and at least ten others were wounded when multiple attackers, arriving in vehicles, opened fire on patrons just before 1 a.m. local time.
Police said the shooters were armed with pistols and an assault rifle, and that the attack appeared completely unprovoked. Among the dead were people who had not even entered the bar — including a driver who happened to be nearby for work. Others were struck in the street as the gunmen continued firing while fleeing the area.
A large-scale manhunt is now underway, with specialized units deployed to track down the suspects. Authorities believe several individuals were involved and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The tragedy is the latest in a series of mass shootings at bars and taverns across the country, highlighting a relentless wave of gun violence. Despite strict gun laws, officials say illegal firearms remain widespread — a deadly reality in a nation that records tens of thousands of homicides each year.