Cape Town – Police have arrested a second suspect for the murder of six-month-old Zahnia Woodward.
Larry Johnson handed himself in to Ocean View police on Tuesday.
On Friday, he and accused number one, Christopher September, 31, appeared at the Simon’s Town Magistrate's Court on charges of murder and attempted murder.
There were dramatic scenes as the baby’s father, Bradley Robyn, 24, who was injured in the same shooting, “went flying across the benches” as he tried to attack the men accused of killing his child.
He was held back by court orderlies who managed to subdue him.
Residents of Ocean View arrived by bus at court, carrying posters and wearing T-shirts with Zahnia’s face printed on them, and the back of the T-shirt reading “Justice for Zahnia”.
It was Robyn’s first time at court since the shooting.
Zahnia’s mom, Cindy Woodward, 20, says seeing the men accused of killing his only child “sent Bradley over the edge”.
“He was next to me and then he was flying over the benches. I had no time to stop him and had not realised he would get so emotional,” she said.
“I think it’s hardest for him because he was holding her when it happened.”
On December 30, five men in a white VW Golf opened fire in Carnation Road, Ocean View.
The baby, who was sitting on her dad’s lap, was shot through the head, while bullets hit the dad in his upper thigh.
It is believed the intended target was a suspected drug dealer who lives across the road from where Bradley used to sit everyday with Zahnia, waiting for Cindy to come from work.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the latest arrest: “The first suspect was arrested the same weekend of the incident. The second suspect handed himself in on Tuesday, January 10. They both appeared at Simon’s Town court on Friday.”
The case was postponed until February 23 for a formal bail application.
Woodward said she wants the suspects to rot in jail, and asked for bail to be denied.
“It should not even be a question. That is all I want to hear when I walk into court next month and the other three shooters must come forward as well and take responsibility for ripping my child from me,” she said.