A suspected Americans gang boss from Hanover Park was shot and killed at a liquor store he apparently owned.
On Wednesday just after 5pm, Igshaan “Saan Oeg” Marcus was shot four times by unknown gunmen who entered Liquor World store in David Road, Athlone.
It is believed he was killed in a hit by a rival gang.
Police sources say Marcus, 47, was shot four times - twice in the face and twice in the upper body.
He died from his injuries on the scene and the suspects are believed to have fled on foot.
Marcus, who got his nickname after he lost his left eye years ago, was apparently ready to leave the gang he allegedly belonged to.
According to a close friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Marcus had allegedly started taking steps to “extricate himself from the underworld” by starting legitimate businesses and creating jobs in the community.
TERROR: Marcus was killed outside the liquor store he owns in Athlone. Picture: Supplied
In 2012, Marcus was hunted by a special police task force and publicly named by Major-General Jeremy Vearey, the then Nyanga Police Cluster chairperson, as a gang boss.
According to police, the Americans gang was dealing in illegal firearms and ammunition and drugs, while also carrying out murder contracts.
In October 2002, Pagad member Moegammad Isaacs was found guilty of leading a revenge attack on Marcus on 12 June 1999, after his brother-in-law, Reza Heuwel, was gunned down in Tafelsig, allegedly by members of the Americans gang.
Marcus was wounded in the attack and three people, who were not gang members, were killed.
Reza Heuwel was the son of the leader of Pagad’s Tafelsig G-force cell, Abdul Heuwel.
Isaacs is currently serving three life terms in Pollsmoor Prison.
TERROR: Marcus was killed outside the liquor store he owns in Athlone
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noxolo Rwexana, confirmed the shooting happened at about 5.30pm on Wednesday.
“The suspects entered the liquor store and shot at the victim. The circumstances are under investigation,” said Rwexana, adding that no arrests have been made yet.