The first day back at school turned deadly for the Heatherdale Primary School community on Tuesday when a 31-year-old man was shot and killed outside the school in Athlone, Cape Town.
The man had reportedly just dropped off his child when three unknown men approached his silver Hyundai Atos and opened fire. He was shot multiple times in the face and upper body while sitting inside the vehicle on Belgravia Road, opposite the school.
The car was riddled with bullets, and several cartridges were found at the scene. Crime experts examined the cordoned-off area as investigators collected evidence. The man was declared dead inside the vehicle.
Athlone police said the deceased was a member of the Junky Funky Kids, commonly known as the JFK gang. Police believe the killing is linked to the ongoing conflict between the Fancy Boys and the JFKs.
Athlone SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Zita Norman said officers were called to the scene at about 7.45am.
“On Tuesday, 6 October 2026, at about 7.45am, SAPS Athlone attended to a shooting incident at Belgravia Road opposite Heatherdale Primary School.
"On arrival, they found an Atos vehicle, silver in colour, and upon further investigation they found an adult male inside with several gunshot wounds. Several cartridges were found on the scene.
"It is alleged that the deceased dropped off his child when three unknown men approached him and opened fire. He was declared deceased on the scene. The deceased is a member of the JFK gang.
"Suspects fled the scene in an unknown vehicle. The motive for the incident is an ongoing war between the Fancy Boys and the JFKs.”
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Athlone SAPS on 021 697 9238/39.
Police hunt three suspects
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel FC van Wyk said the suspects remained at large while detectives continued investigating the murder.
Van Wyk said the victim had been attacked shortly after dropping his child at school and had suffered fatal wounds to his face and upper body.
“According to reports, the victim just dropped his child at school when unknown gunmen approached him and randomly started shooting at him, fatally wounding him. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his face and upper body.
"He was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is believed to be gang-related. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
"Athlone police registered a murder case for investigation.”
Police have not released the victim’s name. They also have not identified the vehicle allegedly used by the gunmen or confirmed whether it was stolen.
The shooting took place as learners returned to school, with the crime scene directly opposite Heatherdale Primary. Police have not said whether the attackers intended to target the victim at that location or whether they followed him to the school.
The motive is being treated as gang-related, but investigators must still establish the circumstances leading up to the attack and identify the three suspects.
Support offered to school community
The Western Cape Education Department said it was aware of the shooting and that support had been made available at the school.
WCED Director of Communications Bronagh Hammond said teams from Safe Schools and psychosocial support services had been sent to the school. Counselling was made available to people who may have witnessed the shooting or its aftermath.
"Staff from Safe Schools and psycho-social support are at the school to provide support. Counselling has been made available to those who may have witnessed the incident or the aftermath. Teaching and learning have continued as scheduled," Hammond said.
The department did not provide details about the identity of the child who had been dropped off or say whether learners witnessed the shooting. The presence of support staff was intended to assist pupils and employees affected by the violence outside the school.
Public urged to come forward
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
Investigators are particularly likely to need information from motorists, residents, parents and other people who were in the Belgravia Road area at about 7.45am. Witnesses may be able to assist police with the description of the suspects, the vehicle used to escape or the direction in which the attackers fled.
No arrests had been made at the latest update. The victim’s death is being investigated as a murder, while police continue to examine possible links to the conflict between the Fancy Boys and the JFK gang.
For the Heatherdale Primary community, the shooting brought fear and shock to what should have been a routine return to school. Teaching continued, but counselling and psychosocial support remained available to those affected by the deadly attack outside the school.