A one-year-old boy was tragically shot and killed on Monday afternoon under mysterious circumstances in J-Section, Umlazi.
The child was reportedly inside the house on Pigogo Road, while his mother swept the yard outside.
According to a statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the mother heard a gunshot and rushed inside to find her son lying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to his forehead.
The gate to the property was reportedly closed, and no one was seen entering or exiting the premises at the time.
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What investigators know so far
The incident has left police with more questions than answers as they work to unravel the details surrounding the shooting.
No firearm was found at the scene, and preliminary investigations have not revealed any witnesses who might have seen suspicious activity near the house.
Police are relying on forensic evidence from the crime scene to piece together what happened.
Ballistics experts are expected to analyse the bullet trajectory, determine the calibre of the weapon used, and ascertain whether the shot could have been fired from outside the house or within its confines.
Authorities are particularly interested in clarifying the following aspects:
- Timeline of Events: Police will seek to establish a precise timeline from when the mother last saw her son alive to the moment she heard the gunshot.
- Access to the Property: The closed gate raises questions about how a potential intruder could have entered and exited without being detected.
- Motive Behind the Crime:
- The senseless targeting of a one-year-old child has baffled investigators.
- Why would someone enter the house in broad daylight, target a toddler, and leave without taking anything or harming the mother?
- Potential Witnesses: Neighbours or passersby may hold key information about any suspicious individuals or vehicles in the area at the time of the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the boy’s death are puzzling. In most cases involving a shooting, investigators look for a clear motive, such as robbery, conflict, or intimidation.
However, the deliberate killing of a child incapable of speaking out raises disturbing possibilities.
While police have not named any suspects, they remain cautious not to dismiss any avenues of inquiry, including the possibility that the perpetrator could have been someone known to the family.
The SAPS has confirmed that the matter is being treated as a high-priority case.
Forensic teams will continue to comb through the house for DNA evidence, fingerprints, and other clues that could identify the shooter.
Community members are urged to cooperate with the investigation by reporting any suspicious activity or information that could assist in solving the case.
