At least eight people were killed after a gunman behind the wheel of a black SUV struck pedestrians in a sudden attack that rocked the entire country of Egypt. There were some others hurt, and the authorities responded with extreme security measures.
The shootings started in a pedestrian area in a public square, where shoppers were walking when the shooter reportedly fired from the car, which appeared to have no motive, the original reports said. Panic and chaos spread among witnesses, and people ran and ran for safety until gunfire followed, they say.
The suspect was also said to have employed an automatic weapon in the attack, fleeing the spot in his black SUV. Several police officers arrived on the scene to pick up wounded victims and transfer them to hospitals, as well as other security forces who carried out a sweeping search for the assailant.
Authorities say 8 people were killed in the shooting, but the death toll could rise as some people are still in critical condition. The identities of the victims have not yet been confirmed. Local media reported that the driver randomly targeted pedestrians, and pedestrians and neighbours were reeling.
Security forces had subsequently sealed off the area, and forensic technicians were gathering forensic evidence from the scene of the crime. There has been no release of the motivation for the attack from Egyptian authorities. The state of law enforcement is analysing whether the shooting was the result of terrorism, organised crime or individual motivations.
The investigation is also considering surveillance from other buildings near the site of the attack and traffic cameras in the area. Authorities and security officers are in search of the suspect in custody, the Interior Ministry said. Checkpoints, which were reportedly set up at some places around the attack, followed vehicles similar to the black SUV, whose presence was included.
Egyptians expressed their condolences for the victims’ families on Facebook, Twitter and countless other platforms, and among the many platforms that demanded a speedy prosecution of perpetrators. Egypt has experienced sporadic violence in recent years, but also escalated counterterrorism raids in the country, surveillance of movements and worked with other countries in the region on mass terror operations, especially in major cities and at tourist attractions.
Officials said they had told the public to keep their minds sharp and work with investigators. Overnight, medical teams did respond to the wounded, and police remained at the scene of the crime. Officials are planning to release more as that probe continues. Another public safety scare has been unleashed by the deadly attack.
