Durban - The man accused of killing a Wentworth youngster in a shooting at the weekend says he too is a victim, because he was shot in the back.
Ryan Ashley Isaacs, 35, of the Bluff, claimed he was targeted because he is a potential State witness in a case involving another alleged gang-related shooting that took place outside a Florida Road restaurant in May.
Wearing a grey, blood-spattered hoodie and jeans, Isaacs walked tentatively into the dock in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
His attorney, Jacques Botha, told magistrate Vanitha Armu his client had been shot in the back early on Saturday while running away.
He also said Isaacs’ car was riddled with bullet holes.
“The bullet had to be removed in hospital and has apparently been handed over to the police. He (Isaacs) requires hospitalisation because of injuries to his collarbone and his scapula is fractured,” said Botha.
He said Isaacs was arrested when he left Addington Hospital on Saturday.
The magistrate asked why he left the hospital when he required further treatment, Botha said his client was advised that the people who made an attempt on his life would do so again.
Prosecutor Calvin Govender told the court it was alleged that 21-year-old Brandon Morrison and a couple of his friends had left a club and were in their motor vehicle, a Hyundai i10, on Silvertree Road in Wentworth at 3am on Saturday.
“An eyewitness said he knows the accused as ‘Skull’ and also gave Isaacs’ full name. The witness was seated in the car when he saw the accused, together with other men. He said (Isaacs) pulled out a firearm and started shooting at their car and in the process of doing so, Brandon Morrison was shot.
“He was taken to hospital where he died. The accused is linked by an eyewitness who said (Isaacs) was on the road at the time,” said Govender.
The gun was not recovered.
The State did not object to Isaacs being released on bail provided that: he did not enter Wentworth; reported to Brighton Beach police station twice a week; and did not change his residential address without informing the investigating officer.
Reading out Isaacs’ affidavit in support of bail to the court, Botha said Isaacs had a pending case in the Durban Regional Court of attempted murder and was out on R2 000 bail.
He also said Isaacs was a potential State witness to the murder of 32-year-old Kyle Morrow, who was shot outside the Keys Restaurant and Bar in Florida Road in May.
Morrow was shot dead after allegedly clashing with members of a Wentworth gang outside the restaurant.
This led to a march in the south Durban suburb by 500 members of the community who declared they had enough of gang-related violence.
Botha claimed Isaacs was shot while running away from his attackers.
“There is CCTV footage in the area that will prove my innocence,” said Isaacs in his affidavit.
Botha said police had not inspected Isaacs’ car and they had advised Isaacs to open a case. He said Isaacs would lay a counter charge of attempted murder.
The father of two was granted R3 000 bail and was expected back in court on Monday.
@noeleneb
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