The distraught family of Tiano Anthony who was shot and killed while playing outside his home at Manenberg, Cape Town had high hopes that he will survive.
Tiano Anthony was shot in the head while playing outside his home on Monday. He was rushed to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital for medical treatment where he died.
The grade-three learner at Easter Peak Primary School died due to severe injuries. It is alleged that Anthony was hit in the head by a bullet in what is believed to have been an accidental shooting.
A 34-year-old man, who lives in the same property as the boy’s family, has since been arrested after he allegedly confessed to the shooting.
He reportedly claimed that the shot went off by mistake while he was cleaning his firearm.
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said once charged, the suspect will appear in court on Thursday where his bail is expected to be opposed.
The boy’s aunt, Michelle Malgas, said the family believes the shooting was an accident, however, she said there was a way it could have been avoided.
“I can’t imagine him hurting our children in any way because he loves them so much. We’ve seen him with them daily,” said Malgas.
She said the family did not want the life-support machine to be switched off, but hospital staff said there was nothing more that can be done to save the boy’s life.
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