Cape Town — Two teenagers from Lavender Hill died on Tuesday night in what police suspect to be a gang-related shooting incident as they launch a manhunt for the gunmen.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Frederick Van Wyk said officers found a 13-year-old girl who was shot in the head and a 17-year-old boy who was hot in the legs. The bodies were found at a home in Hilary Drive in Lavender Hill, IOL reported.
“SAPS members on duty responded to a call of two persons, one male and one female, who had been shot at the mentioned address,” Van Wyk said.
“On their arrival, they found the bodies of a 13-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the head and a 17-year-old male with gunshot wounds to the head and both legs. The victims were declared dead on the scene by medical personnel,” he added.
Van Wyk said a white Toyota Corolla with unknown suspects inside shot at them in a drive-by shooting and the motive is suspected to be gang-related. He said police were aware the area was experiencing conflict between rival gangs.
Shooting Incident (19:08 / 17 Dec)
Hillary Drive
Lavender Hill
Services Advised
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According to News24, Steenberg Community Police Forum chairperson, Nicola Small, said they were aware of the incident and strongly condemned it.
“We strongly condemn the violence of last night. Incidents like these are amplified when they involve minors. We support the SAPS in the investigation and appeal to anyone with information to contact the police,” she said.
A community activist who did not want to be named for safety reasons said the area had been plagued by gangs recruiting young boys into their ranks.
“Lavender Hill is dangerously out of control. We are dealing with an influx of gangs that think they have taken control of the community, and it’s very sad what they are doing to our young men,” she said.
Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile said they were deeply concerned about the ongoing gang violence on the Cape Flats.
“The cycle of gang violence and its manifestations is a concern for the SAPS. Interventions developed to quell the scourge of violent crimes on the Cape Flats and elsewhere that excluded the youth will be meaningless,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen