Police in Mpumalanga are investigating a suspected domestic violence incident after a man allegedly shot and killed his wife and 3-year-old son, attempted to kill four others and then turned the gun on himself.
Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images
- A man in Verena, Mpumalanga, is accused of shooting and killing his wife and 3-year-old son, injuring four others and later turning the gun on himself.
- He allegedly fled the scene with his 6-year-old daughter, who was also shot but managed to escape and seek help.
- Police are investigating two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and have opened an inquest.
Warning: Details in this story may upset sensitive readers.
Police in Mpumalanga are investigating a suspected domestic violence incident after a man allegedly shot and killed his wife and 3-year-old son, attempted to kill four others and then turned the gun on himself.
The shooting occurred in Verena on Tuesday evening.
According to the police, officers were informed of an alleged dispute between a couple in the area. When they arrived at the scene, police encountered a woman who identified herself as a neighbour. She said she and others were outside when the suspect became involved in a heated argument with his wife.
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“The suspect allegedly drew a firearm and shot his wife, aged 43, his son, aged three, and the neighbour,” said police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane.
“The suspect then fled the scene with his 6-year-old daughter in his vehicle. It is alleged that he drove to his parents’ house in another section of the area.”
Ndubane stated that preliminary investigations led police to cordon off and search the scene. During the search, officers discovered the body of the wife outside the house on the grass, face down, with multiple gunshot wounds. She was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
“The 3-year-old boy was found inside the living room with a gunshot wound and was also declared dead at the scene,” Ndubane said.
“It is further alleged that the suspect shot his sister-in-law and his wife’s uncle, who were rushed to hospital for medical treatment.”
Police then proceeded to the suspect’s parents’ home in search of him. There, they found him inside his vehicle with a gunshot wound, showing no signs of life.
“He was also declared dead at the scene,” Ndubane added.
It is further reported that the suspect shot his 6-year-old daughter, who managed to escape and seek assistance from her grandmother.
The little girl was transported to hospital in a stable condition for medical treatment.
The suspect allegedly used his personal firearm to shoot the victims.
“The firearm has been seized and booked in as part of the ongoing investigation,” Ndubane said.
Police are investigating two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and have opened an inquest.
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.