Police are investigating an incident in which a 27-year-old man was found shot and killed in Athlone early on Saturday morning.
The victim had one gunshot wound to the stomach and was found by police behind a property in Hadji Ebrahim Crescent in Rylands.
The man has been identified as Elrico November, aka ‘Neppie’, allegedly an American gangster and known for robbing mense in the area.
Community members say November had gone for the wrong target and this resulted in his death.
According to one resident, there had been a confrontation about a bracelet and chain November had allegedly stolen from someone on Friday.
“His victim’s people had come to ask for the chain and bracelet back and he had refused to give it. The guy then left and came back with other men and ‘Neppie’ was shot dead,” the woman says.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirmed that the shooting was under investigation and had occurred just after 6am.
“Early on Saturday morning, Athlone police officers responded to a shooting in Hadji Ebrahim Crescent, Rylands, Athlone. On the scene officers found the body of the 27-year-old victim behind a residence.
"The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his stomach and had succumbed to his injury. Circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown. A murder case was registered,” Van Wyk said.