A 20-year-old man has been killed and four others wounded in a shooting in Lotus River on Thursday morning. The attack took place in 5th Avenue when gunmen opened fire from a passing vehicle, according to police. Such incidents reflect a concerning trend of violence like the recent Lotus River shooting.
Sergeant Wesley Twigg said officers responded to reports of gunfire at the scene, where the victim was declared dead by medical personnel. Four men, aged between 20 and 72, were taken to hospital for treatment. No arrests have been made in connection with the ongoing patterns of shootings.
Mother Mourns Her Son
The deceased has been identified by family as Shuaib Davids. His mother, Gaynor Grundman, said he was standing in their front yard when shots rang out during the Lotus River shooting. Her boyfriend, 60-year-old Neil Carelse, was also injured.
“They were leaning out of the car and shooting randomly,” Grundman said. “My son was the only one who passed away. He had gunshot wounds to his head and stomach.”
Carelse, who was shot in the arm, described the attack as senseless. It highlights the tragedy of the Lotus River shooting event.
“None of us are gangsters. We are all innocent and grown men,” he said.
String of Cape Flats Shootings
This tragic Lotus River event is the latest in a spate of gun violence on the Cape Flats this week.
On Monday, a man was shot dead in Eland Avenue, and on Wednesday night, another man was killed in 1st Avenue. Hours earlier, four men were gunned down in Overcome Heights, Muizenberg.
While police have not confirmed links between the incidents, gang activity has not been ruled out. The Anti-Gang Unit has been deployed to assist in the investigations, especially in cases like the Lotus River shooting.
Police Appeal for Information
Police have opened murder and attempted murder dockets. Twigg urged anyone with information on the Lotus River shooting to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app anonymously.
Authorities say tackling gang-related crime remains a priority, but shootings continue to plague high-risk areas despite increased patrols, with incidents like the Lotus River shooting causing significant concern.
