Own Correspondent|“Get out of the car, get out of the car,” suspected hijackers shouted, moments before shooting dead a woman in cold blood at a shopping centre in Johannesburg on Friday evening.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, a search was underway for the unknown suspects.

“A case of attempted hijacking and murder has been opened,” Peters said.

“The deceased and her husband had made a stop at one of the shops at the centre when they were accosted by three males travelling in a white BMW with unknown registration plates.

“The suspects allegedly fired shots and the woman was struck and subsequent to that, declared dead on the scene.”

The perpetrators fled the scene in the BMW.

According to TimesLive, the woman was reportedly the daughter of Reverend Tony Simpson of the Nederduitsche Hervormde Kerk van Afrika.

“May the grace and comfort of the Lord carry them in this crisis time,” the church said in a post on Facebook.

Honeydew Community Police Forum spokesperson Michael Steyn told TimesLIVE that they responded to the shooting at the Eagle’s Landing shopping centre in Randpark Ridge in Johannesburg at 9.45pm on Friday.

“She was killed outside of the car, so we are suspecting that it was an attempted hijacking gone wrong because they didn’t get away with the car. Further investigation into the matter will reveal the real cause,” Steyn said.

Steyn said the shooting happened in the parking lot of the centre and not at a pizza place as reported on social media.

Peters has appealed to the public for assistance in tracking down the suspects.

“The police are appealing to anyone who may have information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the police by calling the Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or by sending a tip-off on the MySAPS app.”

Source: Times Live/News Agents