Father Speaks After 19-Year-Old Son Reece Killed In Westbury Gang Shooting Attack

A father from Westbury has shared the devastating moment he realised his teenage son had been caught in a deadly shooting.

It was about 3pm when the man rushed out of his home after hearing gunfire erupt in the street. His son, 19-year-old Reece, had just left the house with a friend moments earlier. As he stepped outside, panic set in. A young boy came running around the corner screaming, “It’s Reece!”

On Thursday evening, gunmen opened fire in the Westbury area, leaving five people wounded, including a 15-month-old baby. Residents believe the incident is linked to ongoing gang violence in the neighbourhood.

SurgeZirc SA learned that two victims have since died — Reece and an adult woman who was the mother of the toddler injured in the shooting.

According to Gauteng police, the victims were standing on the corner of Larkspur Court and Jacaranda Court when an unknown number of suspects opened fire. All five victims suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital, where the woman was declared dead on arrival.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that investigators are still working to determine what led to the attack. “The motive of the shooting is still unknown as the investigation into murder and attempted murder continues,” she said.

Westbury Gang Violence Leaves Community On Edge

Reece’s father, who asked not to be named, described racing to reach his son after learning he had been shot.

“I jumped inside my car immediately and drove to the backyard where his body was lying. It took me less than five minutes to get to him and take him to the hospital. I was told by one of the boys that they were instructed to run by the shooters, and as they were running, they were shot at.”

He said residents believe the attackers were linked to local gangs and may have been searching for someone.

“They were looking for whoever they could find, not knowing who they were shooting at. They were not looking for a baby. They were not looking for my son. None of those people involved was part of a gang. This is a shooting where people were targeted to instil fear in the area and to make an example out of them.”

Speaking through tears, the grieving father recalled the hours his son spent in hospital before dying. “Reece spent the last four hours of his life trying to make sense of what had happened to him, wondering why he was shot, who those people were, and what he did to deserve this. He died at 7 that night.”

Doctors attempted to save him, but the injuries were severe. “No one understands why any of the individuals were shot because they were random. My son has just died for nothing.”

Reece had been struck by five bullets. “It doesn’t make sense,” the emotional father said. “How is it possible that someone like Reece can be brutally shot like that for absolutely no reason? They didn’t care to know who they were looking for.”

Family Frustration With Police Response After Shooting

The father said he and his son shared a close bond, having raised Reece from a young age. “We grew up together,” he said.

After matriculating last year, the teenager had been looking forward to the next chapter of his life. However, the family says their interactions with police after the shooting left them deeply frustrated.

“The service we got from the police station has been ridiculous. When we got there, they asked us questions like, ‘What more do you want to know about your son? Is there nothing more to the fact that he was shot and died?”

He said officers asked whether the family could provide witnesses. “Asking us as the victims if we have witnesses to bring to the police station, everyone understands that in Westbury, you get shot and that’s where it ends. How can they ask us this?”

“You get shot, and it becomes paperwork. Police just turn it into that, and it’s over.”

Fear of retaliation means many residents are unwilling to speak out. “No one wants to testify against these people. People are living in fear of their lives because even being seen at the station can end with you being dead. Witnesses die, and so do victims.”

Acting Police Minister Visits Westbury After Deadly Shooting

Reece leaves behind his grieving family and four siblings. “He was an amazing boy and an amazing brother, with an amazing future ahead of him. They made a terrible example of my son. Taking him out in the street like that just to show this community how good boys can end up.”

On Saturday morning, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia visited Westbury following the shooting.

He first stopped at the Sophiatown police station before heading to the hospital, where the injured toddler and other victims remain under medical care. “We cannot allow communities like Westbury to live under the fear of gangs,” Cachalia said.

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He added that police operations would be strengthened to track down those responsible. “We are working with police leadership to ensure that those responsible are tracked down and brought to justice.”

Thought the minister did not meet directly with affected families during the visit.

Reece’s relatives said they were still waiting for him to speak with them. “The minister came to show face and he will be back when another 10 people get shot, to show face and clean up,” said Reece’s father, who fears the case could remain unresolved.

The family is now planning a night vigil at the street corner where the shooting took place. Further details are expected to be announced soon.