Community divided after shooting

Florida Residents and readers are divided over the incident on 19 March where it was alleged that a senior police officer drew his gun and fired shots at a father and his family.

In the alternative version of the events, those who came to the fore allege the following:
That the policeman never pushed the young man off his motorcycle but that he merely pulled them over since the driver was lifting a second person without a helmet
That the youngsters involved are known as troublemakers in the neighbourhood
That the shots fired were legitimate warning shots because the policeman felt threatened by the number of vehicles and people that arrived to confront him
That one of the minors had a weapon of sorts with which he threatened the policeman
That it was not the first time that the youngsters were seen around the address where the incident took place
That regardless of the fact that the shooter was not arrested, the police did a thorough investigation of the scene and did take statements

The Record was told by the spokesperson for Florida SAPS, Captain Lydia Dikholomela, that the docket has been moved to the Roodepoort Police Station and that she would not be allowed to comment on the incident since it involved a fellow police officer. She did indicate though that she would refer the Record’s enquiries to the Provincial spokesperson.

Members of the Florida CPF, who have more information, also refused to speak to the Record owing to the fact that it involved a police officer.

One source who was an eyewitness to the event had the following to say on condition of anonymity.
“The dog charged at them when they approached the vehicle, resulting in their fleeing the scene. No horns were blown. This is a second time they were there as the police vehicle had been broken into a week before. Also then the dog chased the motorbike. That time they were able to get away but there are witnesses that can attest to this.

“On the date of this incident the cop was threatened and intimidated by cars approaching him from different angles and people jumping out in a very aggressive manner. A man in the middle approached him and during their conversation even more people started approaching him (the police officer). One had a weapon in his hand (expandable steel baton) and that is why the policeman fired two warning shots to the ground; but he never pointed the firearm at anyone at any time. (The Record’s video clip also would show this.) He continuously held the firearm in a downward position with both hands and only pointed with his hand when needed to show the people to back off. (This scene does not appear on the Record’s video.) Only two warning shots to the ground were fired and the crowd backed off the spots where the shots hit the ground were photographed by the police photographers,” says the source.

“No children were shot at, at all, and none of the men around him (the policeman) looked like children. Even the son who was wearing a blue T-shirt did not look or act like a child as he had the steel weapon in his hands. A at one stage he was held back by the police as later he still wanted to attack the policeman.

“Police vehicles arrived, as they were called out on numerous occasions because the so-called victims continuously came to the house before, intimidating and shouting at the policeman to follow them to their area. The residence’ alarm also was activated prior to that but the attackers fled because of the sound of the alarm. The security company arrived prior to the shooting incident because the group was very vocal and shouted serious threats towards the house, continuously circling the residence,” the source told the Record.

After the publication of the article on the Record’s website, members of the community’s comments clearly showed that they were divided over the incident.

Trigger happy top cop allegedly shoots at minors — 20 March

A family, who needs to remain anonymous owing to the fact that minors are involved, alleges that a top-ranking policeman shot at them during an argument.

One of the sons took his brother’s motorcycle to a petrol station only to find it closed. When he left, a dog chased after him and he reacted by shouting and blowing his horn at the dog.

The policeman who is the owner of the dog, gave chase and after a second attempt managed to drive him off his motorcycle.

Afterwards the policeman stripped the motorcycle of certain parts and took the keys.

When the father, two sons and some friends went to the man to confront him about the afternoon’s incidents, he allegedly first shot at the father and then at the two youngsters who wanted to take video footage of the incident.

In a bizarre twist, a Florida police vehicle and another senior police officer arrived but the alleged shooter was not arrested.

Various cases ranging from malicious damage to property to nine cases of attempted murder have been opened.

The Record is in possession of these case numbers, video material and photos.

For a blow-by-blow account of what exactly happened, read next week’s Record.