Young skater shot dead

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Mother Mary Philander blames rollerblades for sons death. Photo: Phandulwazi Jikelo

A grieving mom says her murdered son’s rollerblades may have slowed him down, making him a sitting duck for his shooter.

Police say 23-year-old Volentino Philander and a group of friends were gambling outside a house in Moederkappie Street, Kalksteenfontein, when a man fired on the group.

While everyone else managed to escape, Volentino and a 17-year-old boy were not so lucky.

The teen was shot in the knee while Volentino was hit in the torso.

The 23-year-old died minutes later with his favourite rollerblades still tied to his feet.

Now Volentino’s mother, Mary, 49, blames her son’s favourite hobby for his death. She says his rollerblades may have slowed him down, making him an easy target.

“He wasn’t a gangster but he was a naughty child, he was doing drugs,” she tells the Daily Voice.

“He loved his rollerblades, it was his only hobby and he used to skate every day.”

The grieving mother says she last saw her son an hour before he was killed.

“He was at home around 3am when I scolded him because he was out skating so late. Then he left again and an hour later a neighbour came to tell me that he’s been shot,” she says.

Mary is adamant that her son was not part of a gang and says she doesn’t know why anyone would want to kill him.

“He was still alive when I arrived at the scene but he wasn’t talking. I called for him and he made a sound before he died. I could see where he was shot but there was no blood,” she says.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer November Filander says the suspect is still at large.

“The friends were gambling outside when they were approached by an armed suspect. He fired several shots and fatally wounded Volentino and a 17-year-old,” he says.

“The suspect fled on foot. No one was arrested as yet.”

* Filander says anyone with information can contact Bishop Lavis Police Station on 021 935 9802/3 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

* This article was published on p5 of the Daily Voice