Man kills wife, himself in Christmas Eve shooting at Joburg mall

A man allegedly shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself at a Johannesburg shopping mall on Tuesday.

"Police can confirm that a case of murder and suicide has been opened following a shooting incident just after 2pm this afternoon [Tuesday] at Killarney Mall, where it is alleged that a man shot and killed a woman and then turned the gun on himself," said police spokesperson Brig Mathapelo Peters.

Peters said a preliminary investigation revealed that the man, who was in his 40s, walked into a shoe and bag store at the mall, where two employees were on duty.

He introduced himself to one worker and then requested to speak in private to the second employee, who he claimed was his wife.

"The man and woman allegedly then moved to a private space and within no time gunshots were heard."

The 35-year-old woman was declared dead at the scene.

"Further information also suggests that the fatal shooting could be related to domestic violence. Police have recovered the firearm that suspect allegedly used to kill the woman and himself," added Peters.