A 36-year-old tavern owner was shot dead in Thornhill on Wednesday night.
The woman, who will be named once next-of-kin have been informed, was shot inside her home by a lone gunman at about 10:35pm.
Police spokesperson Captain Gerda Swart said that police were baffled by the motive as the gunman ran off empty handed.
“It is alleged that the woman was at her home in Tekana Street, Thornhill, when she heard a knock on the door. An unknown man was standing at the door and asked if she wanted to buy cement. The woman informed the man that she was not interested and closed the door. The man, who is unknown, walked away,” she said.
“It is further alleged that the same man returned a few minutes later and knocked on the door again. When the woman opened the door for the second time, the suspect fired a shot at her. She was fatally wounded.”
Swart said that the woman was shot in the head and died on the scene.
“At the time, friends were inside the house and alerted the police. The man fled empty handed.”
Swart of the woman’s name will be released after her next-of-kin was informed and she was formally identified. A case of murder is under investigation.