Police are searching for a
gunman who opened fired in Kewtown on Thursday, killing one person.
Just hours after South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops and police cracked down on drug dens in the area, a 21-year-old man lost his life and a 16-year-old boy was wounded in Block 30.
The two victims were said to be standing and talking when just before 7pm, when a lone shooter walked up to them and opened fire.
The 21-year-old sustained
gunshot wounds to his neck, arm and chest and had died on the scene.
The 16-year-old boy, who was sitting in a chair, was hit in the arm and leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk confirmed cases of murder and attempted murder have been opened for investigation.
SURVIVE: 16-year-old victim.
“Circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Thursday at about 6.45pm at Block 30, Kewtown in Athlone where a 21-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded and a 16-year-old shot and injured are under investigation,” he said.
“A murder and an attempted murder case were registered for investigation. The injured victim was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.”
It cannot be confirmed whether the incident is gang-related.
Athlone’s Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson, Aziza Kannemeyer, says tensions are running high in the community.
“This shooting has raised
tension among residents. The soldiers and police are still in the area but it’s time the community got involved and not rely on law enforcement,” she says.
“If we just try and make a move, we would have more
successes and fewer killings of our youngsters.”