A matriculant pleaded for his life before armed men shot him and then chased him into to a neighbour’s yard pumping bullets into him.
Faried Atson, 17 would’ve celebrated his 18th birthday on Father’s day. However, his grandmother, Washiela Atson, 55, who raised him, will now have to bury her eldest grandson.
Faried was shot and killed just metres from his home in Storms River Road, Manenberg, yesterday.
It is believed gunmen drove up to the teen, shot him in the leg and he tried to flee.
The teen who was in matric at Silverstream School of Skills, ran into the yard of a neighbour where the gunman chased after him and shot him dead.
Atson said her grandson was on his way to collect money for a job that he had done.
“He works with an uncle in the next road, so he told me he was going to fetch his money.”
It was not even 20 minutes before the gunshots were fired outside, said Atson.
“I ran outside to close the gate because it was halfway open. I still screamed at whoever was shooting because its gang war outside and I really prayed it would stop.
“Not long after I went back into the house someone shouted that it was Faried who was shot.”
Atson said she ran back outside and went across the street to a neighbour’s yard where she found Faried.
“I felt his pulse, he was still breathing, the neighbour told me he pleaded with the guys not to shoot him, that he wasn't a gangster … I held his hand tighter and that’s when he took his last breath.”
Atson said there had been nothing unusual about Faried’s behaviour when he left the house.
“He woke up and asked me if there was bread, I gave him money and he made a sandwich.
“He then left and said he’d see me soon because he was not a child that wandered outside. When I heard the shots I never imagined it was him they were shooting.”was The heartbroken grandma said her grandson was not involved in any gang activities and was not affiliated with gangsters.
“He was a friendly child who was obedient. He had a dream to become a carpenter. He wore a hearing aid, so he knew he had to work extra hard, although he didn’t let his disability get him down.
“He didn't deserve to die like this.”
A resident who spoke to Weekend Argus on the basis of anonymity said Faried was a quiet person.
“He would greet everyone. We don’t know why they would shoot him. This gang violence in Manenberg is really becoming too much our innocent children are being killed, its not fair.”
Captain FC van Wyk, a police spokesperson said circumstances surrounding the shooting were under investigation.
“A murder case was opened. According to reports several shots were fired at him when ran for cover, the unknown suspects followed him and fatally wounding him. They got into a silver Mercedes Benz and fled the scene.”
Anyone with information regarding this fatal incident is requested to contact Manenberg SAPS 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
