The nine-year-old Manenberg boy who died after being shot in the head knew his alleged killer.
Cape Town police report that a suspected drug dealer has been arrested in connection with the death of Tiano Anthony, who died on Monday night after being shot.
Cops have disclosed that the boy was murdered by a man close to him, and that the shot that killed him was fired from within his home, rather than from gang crossfire, as his family claimed.
On Sunday afternoon, panic gripped Towerkop Road as frightened residents rushed the boy to the hospital after he was hit by a bullet while playing outside his home.
According to residents and his relatives, he was shot by a lone shooter who opened fire on children in the street.
According to his aunt, Michelle Malgas, the Grade 3 learner from Easter Peak Primary slumped on the pavement as the bullet ripped through his head.
“The bullet went through in the front and came out at the back,” she said.
“Everyone came out and we decided to take him away to the hospital ourselves because we knew the ambulance would take too long.”
According to Captain Ian Bennett, a police spokesperson, throughout the inquiry, authorities determined that there was no shooting in the street and took a 34-year-old male from Tiano’s home in for questioning.
“I can confirm that the accused confessed to police officers that he was inside the house where the child lived and was cleaning his gun when a shot went off,” said Bennett.
“The Anti-Gang Unit followed up information which led them to the arrest of another 24-year-old man who was found in possession of the murder weapon,” he said.
“Both men have been charged and will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court soon.”
Malgas confirmed that Tiano died in hospital on Monday night. “He went for a four-hour surgery on the same day and survived, but was in a critical condition. On Monday the family was called in and he was still holding on,” Malgas said.
“Tiano passed away on Monday night and they said his heartbeat was too weak. There was too much damage to his brain and he did not make it. We are very traumatised and heartbroken.”
The aunt went on to say that they were unaware of the arrests and had not been informed that the shooting came from inside the house.
“He is not a relative of Tiano, he is a family friend. We had no idea that he was busy with a gun and we were told Tiano was shot by someone in the street,” she said.
“All we know is that the police came and arrested him for drugs, but he doesn’t live here. We are shocked to hear this.”
Full Story Source: 9-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Shot In The Head By Alleged Drug Dealer