South African police say gunmen shot dead 12 people near Johannesburg

South African police said that twelve people were killed and nine others injured when a heavily armed group of over ten men stormed the Jumpers informal settlement in eastern Johannesburg on Tuesday night. The suspects were dropped off near a petrol station.

They entered the settlement from two access points, moving through the area and randomly shooting at residents before escaping in the same vehicle. Police have launched a massive investigation, though Gauteng Police Commissioner noted that the settlement is adjacent to an illegal mining area and authorities are investigating if the violence is tied to illicit mining turf wars.