A recent armed robbery that claimed a life of a six year old boy Meadowdale McDonald's in Edenvale, Johannesburg has left the community in shock, again highlighting he alarming prevalence of crime in South Africa.
The incident, which unfolded around 10:20 pm, left the boy's parents traumatised as they attempted to rush him to the hospital, only for their desperate effort to be in vain.
According to police reports, the robbery was executed by three armed men who initially arrived at the drive-through in a vehicle. After placing an order, it is claimed that they swiftly altered their plan.
One of the assailants exited the car, climbed through the service window, and threatened staff and customers with a firearm.
The second suspect followed suit and, in a moment of chaos, fired a shot that would end the young boy's life.
As the chilling scenario unfolded, a family comprised of a husband, wife, and their six-year-old son unknowingly pulled up behind the robbers' getaway vehicle.
Realising something was amiss, they instinctively began to reverse their car. In this moment of panic, shots were fired at the family, tragically resulting in the boy being injured.
The Bedfordview Community Policing Forum (CPF) confirmed the grim details of the robbery, stating, “Last night, between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm, an armed robbery took place at McDonald’s Meadowdale. There was sadly a fatal shooting of a child in the drive-thru.”
They further expressed their condolences for the family, remarking on the “senseless” nature of the shooting and the impacts on the restaurant staff, who are now undergoing trauma counselling.
“Last night, between 22hOO and 23h00 an armed robbery took place at McDonald’s Meadowdale. There was sadly a fatal shooting of a child in the drive-thru, and the perpetrators also stole cash from the restaurant. The area manager of McDonald’s has advised the CPF that they will be closed for the remainder of today, and that the staff members are receiving trauma counselling from the company’s HR team. Local security companies are currently reviewing all security camera footage and collaborating with SAPS to locate and arrest these suspects. our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the innocent child, whose life cut short by this senseless shooting.’’
According to EWN, McDonald’s chief marketing officer, Daniel Padayachee, expressed the company's devastation over the incident.
Padayachee highlighted that the family were regular patrons at the restaurant, fostering a sense of community within the establishment. He confirmed that staff members were allowed to visit the grieving family to express their sympathies.
Durban also mirrored the horrific event in Johannesburg reported on IOL, where a child was killed after being run over by hijackers fleeing a fast food parking lot.
Kevin Pillay, chairperson of the Malvern CPF, described the scene of that incident as “most heartbreaking” and called for an urgent response to rising crime levels that have left communities living in fear.
Saturday Star