South African police freed American pastor Josh Sullivan on Tuesday evening after a high-stakes shootout left three suspects dead. Sullivan, 45, had been held captive since last Thursday, when masked gunmen stormed his church service in the Eastern Cape province.
The kidnappers, believed to have had inside knowledge of the family’s movements, had demanded a ransom, prompting the elite Hawks unit to spring into action. Following a tip-off, the Hawks launched a coordinated raid on a house in the township of Gqeberha, where Sullivan was being held.
As the officers approached the house, the suspects attempted to flee and opened fire, sparking a fierce gun battle. Three suspects were killed in the exchange of gunfire, and Sullivan was rescued unharmed.
The rescue operation was carried out by the Hawks’ specialized team, who tracked down the kidnappers after receiving verified intelligence about Sullivan’s location.
Sullivan was taken to a safe location after his rescue, where he is receiving support and care. The circumstances surrounding his kidnapping and rescue are still under investigation.