In a significant development following a brutal shooting that shocked the community of Westbury, police have made an arrest. A 20-year-old suspect is in custody for his alleged involvement in last week’s attack that left two teenagers dead and five others injured.
The arrest was made on Wednesday in Diepkloof, Soweto, by the South African Police Service’s Anti-Gang Unit (AGU). According to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the breakthrough came after the unit received crucial information from Crime Intelligence about the suspect’s location.
A Targeted Operation
The intelligence led AGU members to a high school in Diepkloof. “After a thorough briefing, the AGU operationalised this information and successfully identified the suspect’s whereabouts,” Muridili stated. Upon arrival, the officers positively identified the 20-year-old and placed him under arrest.
The suspect is expected to make his first appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday. He faces charges of double murder and five counts of attempted murder.
The Horrific Incident
The arrest is connected to a daylight shooting that erupted on Croesus Street in Westbury last week. As previously reported, a group of seven teenagers, aged between 13 and 19, were approached by four suspects on foot. Three of the assailants were armed.
Without a word, the suspects opened fire on the group in what police believe was a gang-related attack. The shooting claimed the lives of two teenagers, while the five injured victims were rushed to the hospital. Brigadier Muridili has since confirmed that two of the five injured have been discharged, while the others continue to recover.
The Hunt Continues
While this arrest marks a critical step forward, the investigation is far from over. Police have confirmed that they are still actively working to track down the remaining suspects involved in the attack.
The police are once again appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the other suspects is urged to contact the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111. All calls are anonymous, and any detail, no matter how small it may seem, could be vital to the investigation.
For a community reeling from senseless violence, this arrest offers a glimmer of hope that justice for the young victims may finally be within reach.
{Source: TimesLive}
