South African Soccer Player Luke Fleurs Shot, Killed in Carjacking at Gas Station

Adam WellsApril 4, 2024

Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images

South African soccer player Luke Fleurs, 24, was killed in a carjacking Wednesday night.

Police officials told reporters Thursday that Fleurs died after being shot in the chest at a gas station and the assailants drove off with his vehicle.

“While waiting to be served by the attendant, he was confronted by two armed males,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said.

South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan issued a statement about Fleurs’ death.

“We woke up to the heartbreaking and devastating news of the passing of this young life. This is such a huge loss for his family, friends, his teammates and football in general. We are all grieving this young man’s passing. May his dear soul Rest in Peace,” Jordaan said in the statement.

Masondo noted that no arrests have been made at this point.

Per Wycliffe Muia of the BBC News, the Premier League announced all top-flight and second-tier matches this weekend will observe a moment of silence before kickoff in Fleurs’ memory.

Fleurs began his youth career in 2013 with Ubuntu Cape Town in the National First Division. He joined the senior club after turning 17 in 2017 before signing with SuperSport United in May 2018.

After spending five years with SuperSport United, Fleurs joined the Kaizer Chiefs on a two-year deal in October.

Fleurs was also a member of the South African national team at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. It was the country’s third-ever appearance in the Olympics.