South African footballer and Olympian Luke Fleurs has been killed in a carjacking in Johannesburg, his Kaizer Chiefs club said on Thursday.
The 24-year-old defender was shot while waiting to be attended to at a gas station in the Honeydew suburb in Johannesburg, according to police.
“Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time,” Kaizer Chiefs said in a statement.
The team's statement said that Fleurs died from a gunshot wound.
He had signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs in October 2023, but had not made an on-field appearance with the club.
According to police spokesperson Mavela Masondo, the attackers fled with Fleur's vehicle and police were investigating a case of murder and carjacking.
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Fleurs previously played for the national under-23 side, representing South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics.
Fleurs is the latest among thousands of people who are victims to fatal carjackings in South Africa, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world.
The latest official crime statistics from October-December last year showed 5,973 carjacking cases reported.
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