Cape Town — Police in Gauteng have launched a manhunt to search for three suspects who were involved in a shooting at McDonald’s in Meadowdale, Bedfordview on Friday night.
Police revealed that a six-year-old was shot and killed during the robbery. He was shot while at the drive-thru with his parents and despite being rushed to Primrose Hospital, he was declared dead, EWN reported.
According to police, three suspects entered the drive-thru, before two of them forced their way through the window of the outlet and robbed staff. The victim and his parents were in the vehicle behind the suspects.
“It is alleged that while they were robbing the store, a third suspect who was driving a getaway car approached a vehicle at the drive-thru with the father, mother and their six-year-old,” Police Spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said
“He robbed them of their belongings and fired a shot at their car before instructing them to drive off. On their way home, the couple realised that the boy had been shot and rushed him to hospital where he was declared dead,” Nevhuhulwi added.
A child was shot dead during a robbery at the McDonalds drive-thru in Meadowdale in Edenvale on Friday night.#CrimeWatch pic.twitter.com/ByoDg3J0u0
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 5, 2025
According to News24, Bedfordview community policing forum (CPF) said security companies reviewed the security footage and collaborated with police to arrest the perpetrators.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the innocent child whose life was cut short by this senseless shooting,” said the CPF.
McDonald’s chief marketing officer, Daniel Padiachy, said the incident was an “unfortunate one” and said the loss of a child was “heartbreaking” for the franchise.
“This is a devastating moment for the family, our team, and the broader community, and our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family during this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
He said the team was treating the matter with sensitivity and care and the team was cooperating with authorities to support the investigation and ensure justice is served.
Police are investigating a case of murder and business robbery and no arrests have been made yet.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen