12 Killed in Johannesburg Mass Shooting, Police Launch Manhunt

Sat Jun 13 2026 12:27:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A deadly gun attack in Johannesburg’s Cleveland informal settlement left 12 dead and 9 injured, sparking a swift police response and ongoing investigation.

A brutal mass shooting in Johannesburg’s Cleveland informal settlement has killed twelve people, including eight men and three women, and wounded nine others. Police say the attackers, allegedly driven by a white Toyota Quantum, moved through multiple entrances and opened fire before fleeing. A manhunt is underway while authorities investigate the motive, which remains unknown. South Africa continues to grapple with high murder rates, with informal settlement shootings often tied to gang violence.

12 Killed in Johannesburg Mass Shooting, Police Launch Manhunt

At least 12 people were killed in a mass shooting that took place in the Cleveland informal settlement of Johannesburg, police in South Africa announced on Monday. The attack also left nine other victims with gunshot wounds.

The police statement said that more than ten suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station, after which the vehicle entered the settlement, opening fire from multiple locations before fleeing the scene. Officers responded to a “complaint of shooting in progress” around 23:10 local time (21:10 GMT) and found eight men and three women dead at the scene, while a fourth man died later in hospital from his injuries.

The motive for the attack is still unknown; it is part of an ongoing investigation. Emergency medical services were dispatched immediately to treat the injured.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with an average of about 60 people killed per day. Shootings in informal settlements are frequent and sometimes tied to gang violence or personal disputes. The weapons and gun ownership statistics for South Africa include an estimated three million legally held firearms and a comparable number of unlicensed weapons.

More than a decade ago, a mass shooting at a Johannesburg tavern claimed nine lives, highlighting the persistent challenge of gun violence in the city. The police are conducting a manhunt for the suspects; further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.