VALHALLA PARK – A 6-year-old girl from Valhalla Park is fighting for her life after she was struck in the head by a stray bullet during a gang fight on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred in Eleanor Street when rival gangs began shooting, and the little girl was caught in the crossfire.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that police are pursuing all leads to arrest those responsible.
Twigg reported: “Bishop Lavis police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Thursday morning, 9 April 2026, at about 9.20pm, in Eleanor Street, Valhalla Park. Upon arrival on the scene, they found a six-year-old girl who sustained a gunshot wound to her head. The victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment. According to reports, the child was caught in the crossfire when rival gangs started shooting. The suspects fled the scene and have yet to be arrested.”
Bishop Lavis detectives are investigating an attempted murder case. Meanwhile, police are following up on all leads in efforts to bring the perpetrators to book.
Chairperson of the Bishop Lavis Crime Prevention Forum, Graham Lindhorst, added that the area is tense with gang activity.
He said: “The area is volatile. We condemn the shooting and call on SAPS and Law Enforcement agencies to step up their game in terms of crime prevention. You can’t have an army deployed and have these issues happening. Crime is escalating in the midst of the SANDF deployment. They must come into the community and really deal with the crime in our area.”
The shooting has sparked outrage and grief in the Valhalla Park community, with residents expressing their frustration and fear over the ongoing gang violence. The incident raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the SANDF deployment in combating crime in the area.
The police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. The community is urged to stand together and work with law enforcement to bring an end to the senseless violence that is claiming innocent lives.
The little girl's critical condition serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gang violence on communities and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of crime and protect vulnerable residents. The community is praying for her recovery and demanding justice for this horrific act.
