A 16-year-old boy has died after being found with a gunshot wound to the head at a home in Bayview shortly after 5am on Monday, 12 October.
The teenager, who reportedly attended Arena Park Secondary School and had recently moved to Bayview, was found lying on a bedroom floor with a single gunshot wound.
According to Sivan Subramodey of Amawele Emergency Services, paramedics were called to the scene shortly after 5am.
“Medics arrived on scene within minutes and found an Indian male in his teens lying on the bedroom floor with a single gunshot wound to his head. He was assessed and had no signs of life. He was declared deceased on scene,” said Subramodey.
He added that the motive for the shooting was under investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Rocky Naidoo, public relations officer of the Bayview Community Policing Forum (BCPF), said an inquest had been opened following the incident.
Expressing concern about the challenges facing young people, Naidoo stressed the importance of adult guidance and support.
“Our youth are having problems, and it requires adults to help them and guide them in life. They sometimes become too emotional, and adults need to be helpful. It is sad that a young life has been lost so tragically,” he said.
Naidoo also urged firearm owners to ensure their weapons were securely stored and kept out of children’s reach.
Unconfirmed allegations have emerged about the circumstances leading up to the shooting. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death remain under investigation.
Police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said: “Bayview Police have registered an inquest in which a 16-year-old boy allegedly removed his father’s firearm from the safe and shot himself on Monday, 12 October. The firearm has since been seized by police for the necessary forensic investigations. Circumstances leading up to the incident will form part of the investigation.”
