Pretoria - Police have confirmed that no crime is suspected in the deaths of a mother and her schoolgoing son in a double shooting this week.
Erik du Preez, a Form 5 pupil at St Alban’s College, shot himself at his Erasmuskloof home on Monday night. It is understood that soon afterwards, his mother, Ingrid, apparently unable to deal with the pain of her son’s death and using the same firearm, shot herself.
Police spokesman Warrant-officer Dave Muller confirmed the double shooting and said no crime was suspected.
The reason for the schoolboy taking his own life is not known. Erik was in his matric year.
According to the headmaster of St Alban’s, Tom Hamilton, Erik’s mother, took her life shortly after her son had been pronounced dead by paramedics. The mother is said to have shot herself with the same gun her son used.
The schoolboy has been described as being well-liked and in many ways an inspiration to his peers and juniors.
Hamilton said Erik was confirmed dead just after 11.30pm on Monday.
“Our primary objective at this time is to create opportunities to support the grieving process of Erik’s family and the school community,” he said.
“In addition to shock and sadness, a suicide may also cause fear, confusion, guilt and unanswered questions for a family, and we are actively addressing those issues.”
Hamilton said protocols had been put in place at the school for support measures.
He said a memorial service would be held for Erik and his mother on Friday at 9am at the Moreleta Park Dutch Reformed Church.
Pretoria News