A 31-year-old man was shot and killed in his vehicle outside Heatherdale Primary School on Belgravia Road in Athlone on Tuesday morning, shortly after dropping off his child as learners returned to school following the holidays.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel F.C. Van Wyk says the man sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his face and upper body. Local police spokesperson Warrant Officer Zita Norman says three men approached the victim and opened fire before fleeing the scene in an unknown vehicle.

According to police, the victim was a member of the Junky Funky Kids (JFK) gang. Police believe the shooting was linked to the ongoing conflict between the JFKs and the Fancy Boys gang.

No arrests have been made. Athlone police have opened a murder case and investigations are continuing.