After more than a year, the family of a little boy who was shot and killed inside his Parkwood home finally have justice.
The killer of Jayden Smith, 10, was sentenced to two life terms in jail in the Western Cape High Court yesterday.
The boy was shot dead in his living room after gangsters fleeing from a gunman sought refuge in his house in Blackbird Street, Parkwood, on January 26 last year.
His shocked parents found him still clutching the loaf of bread he had gone to buy at a huiswinkel minutes before.
Selfiro Petersen, 26, was handed two life terms to run concurrently.
He received life for the murder of Jayden, three months for trespassing, 11 years for the attempted murder of Jayden’s father Joseph Boltman, who was shot in his left arm, and another seven years for shooting an unidentified 21-year-old male in the buttocks.
He was also sentenced to five years for the possession of an illegal firearm, and three years for the possession of illegal ammunition.
Yesterday, Jayden’s family expressed their relief at the sentence.
An emotional Chantel, 30, says they are happy they got justice.
“Justice has been served. This should be an eye-opener to gangsters shooting innocent people in the community, especially children.
“We are not enjoying this, but he got what he deserved. We are not going to get our son back.
“Parents, look after your children because they are not even safe in their own homes,” the mom added while wiping away her tears.
SHOT DEAD: Jayden Smith, 10
Joseph, 38, says they have forgiven Jayden’s killer.
“We as parents forgive him, we have to, otherwise we cannot move on. We will pray for him so that maybe he can change his life,” he says.
“When I look at Jayden’s pictures, I still feel as helpless as I did that night. But we keep praying that God will take away the regret and that things like this won’t happen. I thank God for saving my life and giving me another chance, even if we still long for our boy.”