Teenager dies two days before birthday

BRACKENDOWNS – Peter Robertson (19) passed away on Saturday November 30, after he was shot in the head by a 66-year-old man in Brackendowns on Tuesday, November 26.

Dave Ridgway, a former neighbour of the Robertson’s is now charged with murder (after Peter’s passing) and two counts of attempted murder.

The three friends, Peter Robertson, Calvin Coetzer and Jonathan de Freitas arrived home at the Brackendowns house of the Robertson family to find that Ridgway was waiting in the garden.

It is reported that Ridgway started shooting at the boys at random, hitting Calvin in the leg, then he made all three lie on the ground before he shot Peter in the head. Calvin was discharged from hospital on the same day with a flesh wound on his leg and Jonathan was not injured.

According to an SAPS spokesperson, Ridgway used to complain about the boys making a noise and playing loud music during the time he lived next door. However, he moved out of the neighbouring house and out of the area about four months ago after his wife went back overseas.

Ridgway was arrested on the scene. He appeared in court on November 28 and he is still in custody awaiting a bail hearing. The case has been postponed until January 13, 2014 at the Palm Ridge Court.

The RECORD will keep our readers updated on the story.

*The parents of the children involved would like to thank the following people:

• Geoff Steyn – Brackendowns CPF Chairman – for his quick response in letting role players know and responding so quickly to the call for help
• Cst Riaan Venter – Brackendowns SAPS – for responding so efficiently even though he was effectively off duty
• Mike Callow – the EMS respondent who arrived within minutes of being called out
• Sanet Williams – Trauma Counselor Brackendowns SAPS – whose support was heartfelt, both at the scene and at the hospital; all the friends and family who assisted at the scene and whose support has never wavered
• The staff and Doctors at Union Hospital whose care and consideration has been flawless and;
• Management of Brackendowns SAPS, especially Colonel Arikum, Lt-Col Hutchons and Cst Venter who have continued to support the families during this difficult time.