A five-year-old Manenberg girl is lucky to be alive after being struck in the face by a bullet when skollies opened fire in Beatrix Court on Saturday.
The family of Amy-Lee Hendricks say she is recovering in Red Cross Hospital after undergoing emergency surgery to repair the damage to her mouth after the bullet ripped through her lip, crushed her teeth and exited through her cheek.
The Grade R pupil from Edendale Primary School was one of seven people wounded in the shooting which has left the community and cops puzzled.
Manenberg Police Station commander, Brigadier Enolium Joseph, says shortly before 11p m, residents in Beatrix Lane ran for their lives after multiple gunshots rang out.
“According to witnesses, a white Mercedes-Benz minivan drove down Thames Avenue and as they passed Beatrix Lane, occupants fired several shots from the vehicle which immediately sped away,” he explains.
LUCKY TO BE ALIVE: Little Amy-Lee, five. Photo: Supplied
“These gunshots were fired randomly at residents of Manenberg, leaving seven persons injured, including a 17-year-old and a five-year-old girl.”
Joseph says five men, aged between 18 and 28, were also hit but survived.
Mom Carol, 46, says little Amy was on the arm of her neighbour when she was hit.
“I was at home with her and wanted to go call my older daughter because she was still outside and it was getting late. Her friend Tammy, 17, walked with me and she was carrying Amy because I didn’t want to leave my child alone in the Wendy house,” she explains.
Carol says as she called her eldest daughter, she heard the gunshots: “We all fell over and I didn’t even know my child was hit. Tammy was hit in the side and when I looked at Amy, I just saw blood and fainted.
“The doctors say she is very lucky because she could have died.”
Dad Wayne Joseph, 46, rushed Amy to Heideveld Emergency Centre: “They helped us quickly and rushed her to Red Cross. They stabilised her and her mommy stayed with her overnight.
MOTIVE UNKNOWN: Joseph. Photo: Supplied
“[Sunday] she went for an emergency operation on her face so they can repair the damage, but all her teeth are out.
“They also shot her in the left shoulder and she is in a lot of pain. Tammy also survived and is in Groote Schuur [Hospital].”
Joseph says police are investigating a case of attempted murder and says the motive for the attack is not known.
He said none of the victims are gangsters and no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting incident is asked to call Manenberg police on 021 699 9400.