The community of Pook se bos in Athlone are reeling in shock after a three-year-old boy was killed during a drive-by shooting on Monday.
Police say the little boy had been standing outside a huisie in the settlement when he was shot in the head at 10.15am.
The child who had been left wounded initially was rushed to hospital where he later passed away.
Police confirm his death had been the result of a stray bullet hitting him during a possible gang-related drive-by shooting.
The gunmen had been driving in a white bakkie, but the make is unknown at this stage.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, explains: “Circumstances surrounding a shooting incident at 10:15am at Pook se bos informal settlement, Rylands, Athlone where a 3-year-old child was shot and injured is under investigation.
“According to reports, a group of unidentified males driving a white LDV started to shoot towards the address where the child was caught in the crossfire and got shot in the head.
“The injured child was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Police are investigating a charge of murder and no arrests have been made yet.
Aziza Kannemeyer, spokesperson for the Athlone Community Policing Forum, has condemned the shooting and killing of the child.
“We extend our condolences to the family and all affected by this traumatic incident,” she says.
“Once again the innocent are the most impacted in the world of criminality.
“This is not normal. It’s urban warfare.
“The CPFs of those areas (affected by gang violence) need to challenge all institutions responsible for the safety of our communities around their inability to execute their mandate.
“They are failing our people.”