EVATON – An armed robbery at a local tuck shop in Evaton West has left an eight-year-old child dead.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 20 sending shockwaves through the community.
At approximately 16:00, the Evaton Police received a frantic call reporting a murder and armed robbery at residence number 3929 Ext 02, Evaton West. Officers rushed to the scene and discovered the lifeless body of an innocent eight-year-old child inside an ambulance.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Sedibeng cluster police spokesman Captain Teboho Lephoto said an inspection of the child’s body revealed a tragic bullet wound to the head, marking a horrifying.
“The events unfolded earlier in the day when a driver from Blue Ribbon Bakery was making a bread delivery to the tuck shop at number 3929 Ext 02. According to the driver’s statement, it was around 14:30 when the delivery was underway. One of his colleagues went inside the tuck shop to complete the bread delivery while he remained outside with the rest of the crew, waiting by the delivery truck,” he said.
“An unidentified black male approached the delivery truck, brandishing a firearm, and pointed it at the driver. The assailant demanded money, and in an attempt to cooperate and protect his life, the driver handed over R200-00,” he added.
“The suspect proceeded to search both the driver and another colleague who was present in the truck. In a final act of desperation, the assailant resorted to taking coins from the truck. As he made his escape on foot, members of the bakery crew reacted by throwing a brick at the fleeing robber,” said Lephoto.
Tragically, the desperate act had dire consequences when the suspect turned around and fired a single shot, which struck the innocent eight-year-old child in the head.
The young victim was positioned opposite the tuck shop in Evaton West at the time of the incident.
The child could not be saved despite immediate medical attention and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The suspect remains unidentified, but law enforcement officials are actively investigating the case. The Evaton Police have opened a case of murder and robbery, and local authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring the perpetrator to justice,” he said.
