Johannesburg shooting: Multiple children dead in horror attack as police swarm scene | World | News
Mass shooting in Johannesburg suburb South AfricaIt left at least two dead. Authorities claimed the incident was linked to gang violence.
SABC News, citing Gauteng police spokeswoman Brenda Muridili, said six teenagers were shot and the victims were taken to hospital. It was stated that 2 of them died at the scene and 4 of them were treated by medical teams.
Six people, aged between 14 and 19, were reportedly shot by three suspects believed to be rival gang members.
Ms Muridili reportedly said that the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit along with SAPS Forensic Services were at the scene. He said District Crime Intelligence was also mobilized to assist the Anti-Gang Unit in tracking the suspects.
Private security company Vision Tactics said its personnel were at the scene. Initial reports suggested the attack may have been linked to ongoing gang-related violence.
The company initially said seven children were shot and were in critical condition. It was stated that two children lost their lives, and emergency services and police arrived at the scene.
Photos shared on social media show a cordon, yellow signs and police officers in high-vis jackets stretching along the road.
Westbury, a suburb of Johannesburg, is located in South Africa’s Gauteng province, on the country’s Highveld interior plateau.
Local media reports report that the region is grappling with gang violence, that illegal firearms fuel turf wars, and that this puts civilians in fear of death.
Anti-gang police were pelted with rocks and bottles while trying to arrest a man in possession of drugs in Westbury earlier this year.
Police retreated but the attack prompted condemnation from authorities of some members of the local community who were accused of attacking police officers trying to combat gang violence in the streets.
