A school-going boy was killed and two other children were injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on them.

Two of the victims attended Ravensmead High School.

Jahmeil van Reenen, 14, died on the spot near his home.

His father, Alrich Petrus, said his son had just left the house when he heard the shots.

The devastated dad says: “He was on his way to school and when he walked out the door I said goodbye to him.

“A few minutes later I heard gunshots and when I came out I saw guys standing around someone who was on the ground. At the time I didn’t know he was my son. When I got closer, I saw that it was Jahmeil.”

The devastated father called on police to arrest the killers, saying: “These shooters are known in the area, the police must make an arrest. My child was not a gangster, he was innocent.”

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the shooting, saying: “Reports from the scene indicate that the children were on their way to school when the shooting took place.

“It is alleged that two armed men in a vehicle pulled up on Donnegal Street and opened fire.

“As a result, the 14-year-old was killed and others aged 15 and 17 were injured. They were transported to a medical facility for treatment.

“Cases of murder and attempted murder have been opened. A manhunt has since been launched for the perpetrators.”

Potelwa said a few meters from where the children were shot, a 55-year-old man was also shot and wounded.

The policeman added: “He is currently in a medical facility receiving treatment.

“The motive for the shooting is part of the ongoing investigation.”

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond has confirmed that a Grade 8 student at Ravensmead High School was shot and killed while walking to school.

She says: “The alleged perpetrators then ran into the grounds of St Andrew’s Secondary School as pupils entered the school gates.

“This caused panic among the students. Some ran away from school.

“Schools in the area immediately went into lockdown in terms of safety procedures, however, some parents collected their children from schools.

“This has affected exams at some schools, with timetables being changed to accommodate the change.”

She said matric exams were not affected.

Western Cape Community Policing Board spokesperson Rafique Foflonker added: “This completely senseless shooting in the vicinity of our schools and our children is absolutely ridiculous.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those innocent children who became victims of this event.”

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