Westbury in Mourning After Deadly Shooting

The tight-knit community of Westbury, west of Johannesburg, has been left shattered after yet another violent episode claimed the lives of two teenagers and left four others wounded in what police believe was a gang-related shooting.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the victimsaged between 13 and 19were standing along Croesus Street in Sophiatown around 1pm when four armed suspects approached them. Without a word, three of the assailants opened fire before fleeing on foot.

Emergency services rushed six teens to hospital, but two were declared dead on arrival. The Provincial Anti-Gang Unit and Forensic Services quickly descended on the scene, joined by District Crime Intelligence to begin tracing the suspects.

🚨 BREAKING: Mass Shooting – Westbury

Reports of a mass shooting in Westbury.
– 7 children reportedly shot and in critical condition
– 2 children have tragically passed away

Vision Tactical members are responding, alongside emergency services and law enforcement.

Details…

Vision Tactical (@visiontactical) October 21, 2025

Violence That Feels Like Deja Vu

For many Westbury residents, this tragedy feels painfully familiar. The suburb has become synonymous with gang warfare, where long-standing rivalries spill over into the streets, claiming innocent lives in the crossfire.

Just four months ago, in June, a young child was shot dead in the same areaanother suspected act of gang violence. Locals say they live in constant fear, with shootings becoming so routine that they’ve stopped counting the victims.

“It’s not right what these children are doing. They’re running up and down with guns, and no one stops them,” one resident told The Citizen earlier this year.

Residents describe a community trapped between fear and frustration, where calls to emergency services often go unanswered, and police patrols arrive too late.

Authorities Step In – Again

Private security company Vision Tactical was among the first to report the Tuesday shooting, confirming that their team and emergency services were on the scene minutes after reports surfaced around 2pm.

Their statement initially suggested seven teens were injured, though police later confirmed four. The discrepancy highlights the chaos and confusion that follow such attacks, as families scramble to find out if their children are safe.

Brigadier Muridili said early investigations point clearly to rival gang activity. The Anti-Gang Unit is now leading the case, but for many Westbury families, that brings little comfort.

A Community Losing Faith

Westbury residents have repeatedly pleaded for stronger, more visible policing and interventions that go beyond raids and arrests. Many say the cycle of gang recruitment starts early, with teenagers lured into criminal networks that promise protection, money, and belonging in a neighbourhood struggling with unemployment and poverty.

Social media has since erupted with outrage and sorrow. Community pages are flooded with photos of the victims, heartfelt condolences, and renewed calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to declare gang violence a national crisis.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Every few months it’s the same story, more kids dead, no justice, no peace. Westbury deserves better.”

The tragedy in Westbury is part of a larger national pattern. Across South Africa, gang violence is rising, particularly in urban and township areas where socioeconomic challenges leave young people vulnerable.

Experts warn that without targeted community programs, mentorship, and real economic opportunities, the cycle of violence will continue and so will the headlines.

For now, Westbury mourns two more young lives lost to bullets, and prays that the next report won’t be about someone else’s child.

{Source: The Citizen}

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