A 14-year-old girl has died a horrific death after she was shot in the throat, supposedly by someone playing with a gun.
Hester Martin, 54, wept in her Ashley Court living room on Wednesday as she spoke about her daughter Carmelita, who was killed on Tuesday night shortly after 8pm.
Carmelita died a short distance from her home while standing at a nearby tuck shop when she was hit by a single bullet.
Her mother says she heard the shot that killed her daughter and moments later she came out of her home to find her worst nightmare had come true.
“She went to get sweets and chips and while she was outside, I heard a gunshot,” says a tearful Hester.
“I shouted ‘where’s Carmie?’ and when her sister went outside, we saw her walking toward the flat holding her throat.
“When I came out, she fell to the ground and I saw blood where the bullet went in.”
Hester says her daughter tried to talk but she couldn’t because of the gaping wound in her neck.
While police are still investigating the possibility that the shooting may have been gang-related, her mother says residents have suffered enough because of continuous gang activity in the area.
“My daughter was not a gangster,” she says.
“She was a sweet child who loved playing and sharing what she had with other children.
“We all live in fear because of the gang violence but we’ve had enough. Innocent people and children are dying because of this.”
While she sits surrounded by neighbours and family who came to offer their condolences, Hester weeps as she tells them she will never forget her bubbly daughter.
“I’m going to keep her clothes and leave her room as she left it because I don’t want to forget her,” she cries.
“Last week she asked me to buy her a pair of red takkies for an upcoming function at her school and now she’s not even here to wear the takkies,” Hester adds.
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk says police are still investigating the motive.
“A young man was playing with a firearm when a shot was fired. No arrests were made. A case of murder was opened for investigation,” says Van Wyk.
“The incident could have been gang-related but police are still investigating.”
*This article was published on p2 of the Daily Voice