A robbery at a shopping centre in Ennerdale went south on Friday after one suspect was shot dead, while another was caught and assaulted by shoppers, and a third was hit by a car he attempted to hijack while fleeing.
The gang had gone on the rampage at the Ennerdale Shopping Centre in Johannesburg.
An employee at the centre said the robbers were trigger-happy and randomly opened fire.
"They meant business. They just shot at people. It was mayhem as everyone fled in a different direction, trying to hide from the gunshots. It was like we were in an action movie. I am happy that one of them was killed. Revenge is the only solution for what they have done. They must go to hell," the employee said.
According to eyewitnesses, the armed men allegedly robbed a Pep store and went inside the Shoprite supermarket.
The robbers apparently opened fire on shoppers, who then chased after the armed men. Security guards also joined in on the chase. One of the alleged robbers was shot dead, although it was not yet clear who fired the shot.
A pair of black suede Carvella shoes was next to his body.
Another suspect was caught and assaulted by shoppers while a third was hit by a vehicle.
The motorist of the white sedan, who did not want to be identified, told News24 he was travelling with three minor children when an armed man fired at his vehicle.
He said the bullet hit the right rear window where one of the minor children was seated.
The motorist said the man attempted to hijack his vehicle.
He said: "I saw him running towards me wielding a gun. He pointed it at me and ordered me to jump out. I sped off, and he fired a shot that hit my right rear window.The motorist then drove into the gunman.
"After hitting him, he flew in the air, and his gun followed him."
A woman at the scene, who refused to be identified, shouted: "They are heartless and deserve to be killed. If the police hadn't responded on time, we would have killed them with our own hands. We are sick and tired of criminals who want to own our lives."
READ | Alleged robber shot dead at petrol station in Pietermaritzburg
As one of the suspects was being led away into the police van, he shouted "we will back".
Police at the scene said they arrested the two injured suspects and recovered three firearms.
Gauteng police are yet to comment on the matter.
