At a birthday party over the weekend in South Africa, gunmen killed eight people and injured three more before fleeing, according to authorities.
Officers have not revealed a reason for the shooting on Sunday. The event comes after a string of widespread gun attacks that horrified the country last year. In July, a string of hours apart random shootings resulted in the deaths of 19 persons by gunmen.
“These victims were killed by criminals, and we will not rest until we find out what happened and who was responsible for (this) callous and cold-blooded attack on these unsuspecting victims,” said Eastern Cape South African Police Service Commissioner Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene.
Two assailants opened fire on a home in Kwazakele, Gqeberha, on Sunday afternoon, according to the police.
A family member, Chinese Tys, said her brothers Vusumzi and Andile Sishuba were celebrating Vusumzi’s birthday when they were shot and killed.
“As the family we are in a state of shock and disbelief,” she told newsmen.
Two of the injured individuals remain in the hospital. The third injured party was let go. With 60 million people, South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with almost 20,000 people being murdered annually.
Although there are many more unregistered firearms, Gun Free South Africa estimates that there are around 3 million registered firearms in the nation. On Monday, Bheki Cele, the police minister, went to the shooting location.