three-year-old mass shooting survivor found next to dead mother

The only survivor of a killing spree that left six people, including his mother, dead at a home in New Brighton, Eastern Cape, is a three-year-old child. While some victims were stabbed, others were shot.

The unharmed infant was allegedly found close to his mother’s body after she was shot twice in the head.

The murders happened at the home on Ramba Street early on Saturday morning.
According to Colonel Priscilla Naidu, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape police, neighbours reported hearing gunshots between 1:00 and 2:00.

Before 7:00 a.m., neighbours went to inspect surrounding residences and discovered six dead at one of them. Naidu says it was open when they arrived.

Following a thorough examination, the lounge was where four bodies—one female and three males—were discovered. Both the kitchen and the bedroom included additional females. A three-year-old toddler was there in the bedroom with the female and was unharmed. The deceased range in age from 25 to 35.

According to Naidu, “some of the victims were shot and stabbed while others were shot merely.”

Naidu states that claims have been made that the late owner of the home was a technician who performed auto repairs there.

Another claim, according to her, was that the residence served as a drug den.

She stated that a portion of the home had been ransacked. Whether anything was taken is unknown.” At this point, neither the suspects’ identities nor the reason behind the shootings is unknown.

Four of the six deceased were recognised by family members on Saturday, according to Naidu.

“They are Phindile Matrose (male/owner of the house), his sister (Cikizwa Matrose), Noxolo Tom (female, 31), and Lungisi Kitsane (male). The identities of the remaining deceased, a male and a female are still not known.

“The [surviving] child is a three-year-old boy. His family members took him. The mother of the child and her spouse resided with her brother. Due to his illness, the husband was not present at the time.”

Six counts of murder are being looked into by the provincial organized crime investigative unit in Gqeberha.

Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, the acting provincial commissioner, has launched a 72-hour activation plan to track down the murderers.

She has also pleaded with the residents of New Brighton to assist law enforcement in tracking down and quickly apprehending those guilty for the “gruesome deaths.”

Kupiso said we are pleading with members of society at all levels to work with the police to arrest these merciless criminals who pose a threat to the peace and stability of our neighborhoods.

According to Kupiso, “the 72-hour activation team will be working around the clock to gather information and evidence to locate individuals guilty for carrying out such horrible killings.”

Police are urging anyone who can assist in the investigation to contact Colonel Willie Mayi at 082 697 5914 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or their nearest police station.

Police stated that callers may remain anonymous and that all information is confidential.

 

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