Teen shot after police mistook lollipop for gun

It is alleged the victim was sucking a lollipop while playing with his friends last Thursday when police officers allegedly opened fire on him. He was rushed to a local clinic, Phoenix Sun reported.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said a suspicious group of males allegedly fled when police wanted to search them at J section, KwaMashu, at about 7.45pm.

“A shot was fired and police retaliated. One male was shot and injured. He was taken to hospital for medical assistance. A case of attempted murder was opened at KwaMashu police station and was referred to IPID [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] for investigation,” he said.

It is alleged since the shooting, the victim has been unable to walk or talk and is being guarded by police at the King Edward Hospital.

IPID spokesperson Grace Langa said she was not aware of the matter.

In a separate incident, a suspect was shot and injured by police after he allegedly helped his accomplices rob a man with a toy gun on the N4 in Witbank, Mpumalanga, in March.

Witbank police officers were patrolling the N4 highway, a well-known hotspot for hijackings and robberies, when the sound of a man’s screams alerted them to a nearby bush.

The two police officers rushed towards the bush next to the highway, and six men came running out of the bush. As the police gave chase to the fleeing suspects, one of the men reportedly turned around pointing what looked like a firearm at the two police.

It is believed one of the policemen quickly drew his weapon and fired a shot at the suspect, wounding his leg. The object pointed at the two police officers turned out to be a toy gun.

– Caxton News Service