US Pastor Josh Sullivan, who was kidnapped in South Africa by armed men during a church service last week, has been rescued after a “high-intensity shoot-out” that claimed three lives, confirmed officials.
On Tuesday night, Sullivan, 45, was rescued unharmed in the Eastern Cape township of Gqeberha.
The abductors, who are thought to have been aware of the family’s whereabouts, were not immediately identified. The incident comes at a time when South Africa is witnessing a sharp rise in kidnappings for ransom.
Following Sullivan’s kidnapping, South Africa’s elite police force, known as the Hawks, stepped in after kidnappers demanded a ransom.
Here’s how police recued Josh Sullivan
Sullivan was rescued after “verified intelligence wherein a coordinated team… moved swiftly to the identified location,” Hawks said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba stated the accused tried to escape inside a car while shooting as the police drew closer to the residence, BBC reported.
“The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded,” Fumba stated.
Sullivan was “immediately assessed by medical personnel” after being found “unharmed” in the car. According to officials, he is in “excellent condition.”
“As investigations continue, we respectfully request privacy for the victim and his family as they navigate this period of recovery,” the statement added.
Also Read: Oklahoma City bombing in pics as wounds still exist 30 years after bloodiest domestic attack on US soil
Josh Sullivan shifted to South Africa in 2018
Friends and family of Sullivan had fervently pleaded for his safe return since he was kidnapped.
Speaking to local website TimesLIVE, Sullivan family spokesman Jeremy Hall said he was kidnapped from the church where his wife and kids were present.
Sullivan characterizes himself as “a church planting missionary” on his own website.
He relocated to South Africa in 2018 with his spouse and kids in order to start a church for Xhosa speaking people.
