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Port Elizabeth police have opened an inquest docket following the death of a 43 -year old man.
Police spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge says John Paxton from Malabar phoned the police and said he was at St Georges Strand, about to take his own life.
Beetge says a police negotiator rushed to the scene and started talks with Paxton - but minutes later he shot himself in the chest.
"We reacted swiftly to the scene and took a hostage negotiator with and within minutes when we got to him we pleaded with him not to take his life. He did not respond and proceeded shooting himself in the chest and died from his wound" he said
