Father shoots son at gun expo
HALFWAY GARDENS - A father accidentally shot his seven-year-old son in the upper right side of the chest at 5.10pm on 28 April.
The South African Gunowners’ Association said it was sorry to hear of the shooting incident at HuntEx 2014.
It reiterated that firearm safety was key and the association urged all gunowners to be extra careful with their firearms to avoid such accidents.
In a statement, the association said, “We are saddened by the fact that an innocent child is the victim of this incident and we trust the truth will emerge during the police investigation. Initial feedback indicates that the child is not in danger and that no vital organs were damaged. He is receiving further treatment in hospital.”
The association said the HuntEx organisers reiterated that strict firearms control measures were in place at the show and have expressed their shock at the accident.
This was the first such incident in HuntEx’s history and only the second during the many years of successful gun shows in South Africa.
Details: South African Gunowners’ Association, 031-562-9951.
29 April, 13:30:
In a statement, the Hunting Expo, Huntex2014 organiser Adriaan Woudstra said, “On the last day of the expo a shooting accident occurred in which an under-age boy was injured. A shot was accidentally discharged from [the dad’s] personal firearm which hit his eight-year-old son.”
The organiser expressed shock at the incident and reiterated that strict firearm control measures were in force at the HuntEx2014.
Casternhof Life Clinic spokesperson Kgomotso Zimase said the clinic cannot comment on the condition of the shooting victim due to doctor and patient confidentiality.
29 April, 11.14am:
Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela said Midrand police received a complaint of the shooting at Gallagher Estate and found that the incident took place on the man’s way to the men’s toilets with his son. The child was critically injured and was taken to Carstenhof Life Clinic for medical attention.
Tlamela said, “The firearm that was used belongs to the father of the child. No arrest has been made yet and police are busy investigating the case of negligent handling of firearm.”
