Atteridgeville Reels After Tavern Massacre Leaves 12 Dead, Including Three Children.
WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS
Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, is in mourning after a mass shooting at a tavern in the Saulsville hostel left 12 people dead, including three children. The tragedy unfolded around 4am on Saturday when three men stormed the establishment and opened fire on patrons. In total, 25 people were shot, and the survivors are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The scene inside the tavern was one of carnage, with videos shared by community members showing bodies piled on top of one another, the floor slick with blood. The hostel has been cordoned off with police tape, and a police helicopter hovers above as officers patrol the area.
Families of the deceased gathered at the scene, their grief palpable as the remains of their loved ones were eventually removed in a forensics truck, more than 12 hours after the shooting occurred.
Among the dead are three minors, aged three, 12 and 16. Tragically, the three-year-old was the child of the tavern owner, who is now fighting for her life in hospital.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe expressed deep concern over the recent increase in mass shootings in the province. "Of the deceased, three are minor children. The youngest are aged three, 12 and 16. We are told that the three-year-old is the child of the owner of the tavern."
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and police are searching for the three men responsible. "We are looking for three unknown suspects. We have a multi-disciplinary team of police officers and ballistic experts on the scene to find those that are behind the shooting," said Mathe.
One family is struggling to come to terms with the loss of their son, while two other relatives are in hospital. A community member recounted the horror: "I received a phone call, and I was informed that my relatives were shot. Two of them are in hospital as we speak, but one of them died. I received this phone call around 6am." Residents at the hostel reported hearing the first gunshot around 4am, followed by a barrage of shots, screams, and widespread panic.
Follow Us on Twitter
