A twelve-year-old Chatsworth boy is fighting for his life in a Durban Hospital after he was struck by a stray bullet fired in a botched robbery outside his Moorcross Road, Moorton Home, late this evening.
Exactly what transpired in the lead up to the shooting is the subject of a South African Police Service Investigation. According to eyewitnesses at the scene a man, thought to be an off-duty police officer, had delivered a consignment of dog food to a hair salon in Moorcross Road.
As the officer and a man from the salon walked back to the policeman’s car, they were confronted by two men, one of whom was brandishing a knife. The robbers demanded the two men hand over their cash and valuables. As cell phones and R5000 in cash was handed to the thieves, another salon worker rounded a corner and spooked them. One robber produced a firearm and fired several shots before both fled on foot.
One of the rounds struck a twelve-year-old boy in the head. It is alleged that the boy had been closing a perimeter gate when he was mowed down. He was treated and stabilised at the scene by Advanced Life Support Paramedics before being rushed by ambulance to a Durban Hospital.
Netcare911 Paramedics also treated the boys father for shock and another salon worker who had sustained abrasions to his legs, presumably from taking cover when the shooting started.
The men are being sought by police.
Jeff Wicks
Netcare911 – KwaZulu-Natal Media