A 16-year-old boy has died after he was shot 17 times in the head in what his family believes was a case of mistaken identity.
Monray MacKriel’s mother was shocked and confused on Monday when she arrived home shortly before 5pm in Rondeberg Street, Bishop Lavis, to find her eldest son dead just a few steps from their front gate.
Witnesses say Monray, fondly known as Worsie, was sitting on his bike outside with friends.
He had a cast on his right leg from when he was knocked over by a car a month ago and his leg was broken.
His heartbroken mother Monique MacKriel, 34, says her son did not deserve to die this way.
“I was not here, but I got home and my son was lying in the road covered in a blanket. I just broke. He is my eldest child and he was doing so well at school,” the mom of six says.
SAD: Nellie, a community worker, consoles mom Monique
“He was not a gangster, but not even the gangsters get shot 17 times in the back of the head. It was brutal and my child did not deserve this kind of death,” she said.
A neighbour says there was another boy with a bike standing by the group of friends and they now believe it was a case of mistaken identity.
“A car had pulled up, a white Audi, and they shot him just there by his mother’s house. It was all in the back of the head. His one eye had been shot out of his head. This was a child who respected everyone and always listened to his mother,” says the shocked resident.
“He was a good boy and I hope they catch the people who did this to him.”
COVERED: Monray's body in Rondeberg Street, Bishop Lavis
Monique says she now has to be strong for her five other children, who have lost their Boeta.
“I want answers. He was looking forward to Grade 10 next year. He was very excited. I will miss him and everyone who knew him will, too. He was everyone’s Worsie,” the mother says.
Captain FC van Wyk confirms the shooting and says a 17-year old boy was also injured.
“The 17-year-old victim was shot in his right leg and was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.”
No arrests have been made.