A CHURCH service resumed as normal this morning (August 17) at the St Mary’s Catholic Parish church in Merebank following a deadly shooting yesterday.
Despite heightened emotions, a large number of congregants attended the church service.
A private security company, PT Alarms, conducted patrols throughout the duration of the service to ensure safety.
Brothers Keegan and Tevin Beck were killed while attending their uncle’s funeral on Saturday afternoon (August 16).
The incident happened during their uncle’s funeral service at the church.
They were shot dead outside the church premises at the corner of Umarkot and Juggernaut Roads. The motive for the killings has not yet been established.
Some community members posted on Facebook, claiming that the incident may be linked to gang violence or drug cartel activity, however this has not yet been confirmed by the police.
The two brothers, who had just come from Johannesburg to attend the funeral, were standing outside the church when two unknown suspects opened fire on them.
Wentworth police spokesperson Captain Mbuso Gumede said the members of the Wentworth Vispol received a call regarding a shooting in progress in Merebank.
“Two unknown suspects shot and injured the victims. They were rushed to hospital, and later succumbed to the injuries.
“The detectives in Wentworth are investigating two counts of murder. No arrests have been made yet,” said Gumede.
A video circulating on social media platforms shows Father Herman Giraldo preaching at a funeral.
Just a few minutes into his sermon, several gunshots rang out, followed by the panicked screams of mourners in attendence.
The mourners were attending a funeral service of Clinton Mark Paul.
The police have called on the public who may have information that can assist in the investigation to contact:
CrimeStop on: 086 001 0111
Wentworth police station on: 079 500 1167.
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