A normal day at court turned into chaos with a horrific shooting outside the Booysens Magistrates Court, leaving two people dead and three others injured.

On January 20, the Comaro Chronicle / Southern Courier received a call about an active crime scene at the court.

“People were shot outside the Booysens court, and somebody has been killed,” the caller said.

At the time, Comaro Chronicle/Southern Courier journalist Shirvaan Pather was attending the case that was later linked to the shooting. The case involves the murder of an 18-year-old at Ballbreakers, a pool hall in Mondeor, on April 5, 2025.

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The accused, also a minor and facing a murder charge after allegedly fatally stabbing the victim at the pool hall, was appearing in court on the day. Pather recalls the ordeal.

“The case was moved from Court 1 to Court 6 as the prosecution and magistrate had been changed in the case.

The murder trial was supposed to begin on January 20, but because the case was transferred to Court 6, Magistrate Vele requested that the pre-trial conference be reconvened so the magistrate could be updated on the facts of the case. The magistrate then postponed the case for a pre-trial conference to be held.

WATCH: Shooting at Booysens Court linked to Mondeor murder case

“Once the case concluded, I walked out with the mother of the victim, but she went ahead and exited the court before me. Among those leaving the court were the accused and his family.

“As I was exiting the court, I heard gunshots outside. The shots seemed to be far away, but in a short time, a gunman appeared wearing a mask and opened fire in our direction.

“The accused’s father, who had left the court before us, had already been shot. I saw the gunmen walk back to shoot him again after he had fallen on the steps in front of the court. Another gunman fired shots at the accused’s mother, who was two meters in front of me; she was hit in her foot and her leg.

WATCH: Booysens Magistrate’s Court shooting leaves 2 dead, lawyer among 3 survivors

“She managed to come back into the court while trying to escape a barrage of gunfire. This all happened within two minutes.”

Amid all the chaos, Parther also remembers an incredible, touching moment where humanity shone through.

“The victim’s mother then assisted the accused’s mother. The woman whose son was allegedly murdered was helping the mother of the accused.”

When asked what his thinking process was in those moments, he said: “As I wanted to exit the court to assist those who seemed to be shot, I was grabbed by court security and pulled back into court as the security locked us all inside the court.

“I wanted to help in some way, but was advised to stay in the court. I then tried to contact my family and editor to assure them that I am safe, but before I could use my phone, I was confronted by the accused person in the case, and he threatened me. He thought I was taking pictures of his mother as she had been shot.

“Court security then grabbed my phone out of my hand, stating that I was not allowed to take photographs.

“I was then locked in the court until I explained to court security that I am a journalist and I’m not directly involved in the incident.

“The warrant officer then allowed me to exit the court, stating I still cannot take pictures or try to speak to any law enforcement that might have had information on the shooting.

“I now also question my safety as a court reporter, as being in a court has become hazardous. I am aware that security has since been increased.”

Security tightened at Booysens Magistrate’s Court following deadly shooting

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, said that the incident prompted an urgent review of security in areas surrounding the court, including parking areas and external points, with discussions underway between justice and police authorities to strengthen visible policing at the court.

In conclusion, Pather said: “Nevertheless, I am grateful to have not been injured or worse. I want to extend my sincere condolences to the families of the two people who died in this horrific attack.”