South African football star tragically shot dead in carjacking attack

The world of football has been shocked by the death of South African footballer Luke Fleurs, just aged 24, as reported by Johannesburg Sunday World.

According to the news outlet, Fleurs was shot during a carjacking in Honeydew, Johannesburg, on 3 April 2024.

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Top detectives are looking for two men suspected of being Fleurs' killers, Gauteng police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo said. The incident occurred when the footballer wanted to fill up his car at a petrol station.

"The suspects pointed him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body. One suspect drove off with the victim’s car, followed by his accomplice," Masondo added. Fleurs was taken to a medical centre, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Since October 2023, Fleurs was playing for South African club Kaizer Chiefs after having been without a club. Before that, he also played for SuperSport United.

Fleurs began his career with Ubuntu Cape Town, a club in the city where he was born on 3 March 2000. The club mourned Fleurs' death on social media.

"Late yesterday evening we received the devastating news that Luke Fleurs had been killed in a carjacking in Johannesburg. As an Ubuntu family, we mourn the loss of this talented, young man who was taken far too early and who had been a part of our Ubuntu family for many years," the club wrote on X.

"His huge character and love for life meant that people gravitated towards Luke both on the field and in our residence, and we are confident that there will be many people - in addition to his family, our staff and alumni - who will be sorely affected by his death," the club added.

Fleurs took part in the Tokyo Olympics with South Africa, competing against Japan, France and Mexico and being eliminated in the first round. He also received two call-ups to the South African first team, but never played for Bafana Bafana.

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Fleurs was said to be a big fan of former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, expressing his admiration for the Spaniard on his Instagram account. At just 24, his career was cut short far too early.