Security hero shot with AK47 while intercepting hijacked vehicle
"Lucky to be alive"
Kaylan Reddy's actions helped police apprehend a suspect who was part of a cash-in-transit heist syndicate.
Image: Supplied
A PHOENIX security company owner is "lucky to be alive" after being shot twice with an AK47 when he attempted to intercept a hijacked vehicle in Verulam.
Despite sustaining serious injuries that left him wheelchair-bound, Kaylan Reddy's actions helped police apprehend a suspect who was part of a cash-in-transit heist syndicate.
A white Toyota Cross - hijacked from Durban North - was spotted in Parkgate, Verulam.
Reddy, 32, the owner of G4U Protection Services, was in the area at the time.
“I was in Parkgate buying vehicle spares when I noticed calls for assistance from a group on WhatsApp. This group monitors and traces stolen vehicles with the help of police and tracking and security companies.
“One alert said the stolen vehicle was heading towards Parkgate. I left the spares shop and decided to respond. I cornered the vehicle and there was nowhere for them to go. A KZN VIP Security vehicle was also at the scene. One suspect jumped out of the vehicle and opened fire with an AK 47,” he said.
“He shot at the KZN VIP Security vehicle, damaging it. He then shot at my vehicle. He hit my driver’s side tyre. I knew I had to jump off and run to safety. I was armed, but he had an AK47 and I knew opening fire would not be sensible. As I ran towards the other side of the road, he shot me four times.
“I was shot in both my legs. The gunman looked at me lying on the ground. I thought he was going to fire another shot and end my life, but he turned and jumped back into the vehicle. They then sped off,” Reddy recalled.
Kaylan Reddy was shot in both legs.
Image: Supplied
Doctors told the father of one, this week, that they could not remove the shrapnel from the AK47 bullets, which was lodged in multiple parts of his knees and legs.
They said it was dangerous to perform surgery due to Reddy’s medical risks.
Speaking to POST yesterday (Tuesday), Reddy said doctors told him that he was lucky to be alive.
He spent five days in ICU and was discharged this week.
“I am wheelchair bound and have to learn to walk again. I am undergoing physiotherapy. But I feel like it was worth it, as one of the suspects was tracked and arrested by police. He has been denied bail. It was established that the suspects were part of a cash-in-transit syndicate, on their way to commit a crime. I am glad that I was able to stop them, and that at least one of them will be facing the law. The doctors told me that it was a miracle that I was alive, as they have not seen many people survive being shot with an AK47.
“I thank God for the miracle,” he said.
Reddy’s father, Pastor Mervin Reddy, said: “I thank the police and security companies for responding and assisting my son. They should be commended for their relentless search for the suspects. They ran through the bushes and used drones and helicopters to search for the suspects. I thank God for his hand of protection over my son. We are praying he recovers from this,” Reddy added.