A Cape Town mother has been left shaken after her 14-year-old son witnessed a man being gunned down in broad daylight on a busy road in Lower Crossroads.
The shocking incident happened on Sunday morning, 24 May, on Ntloyiya Road, while many residents were reportedly on their way to church. What should have been an ordinary morning quickly turned into a scene of panic and trauma after two men allegedly walked up to a 36-year-old man and shot him without saying a word.
For residents, the killing has deepened fears about crime in the area and the growing boldness of criminals who seem unafraid to attack people in full public view.
Man Shot Dead on Busy Road
According to reports, the victim was walking along Ntloyiya Road when two men approached him.
Witnesses said the attackers did not appear to argue with him or exchange words before the shooting. They allegedly walked straight to him, opened fire and then ran away into nearby shacks.
The victim, a 36-year-old man, was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency responders declared him dead at the scene.
The killing happened in daylight, on a road where people were moving around, making the incident even more disturbing for those who saw it.
Mother and Son Left Traumatised
One witness said she had been walking from the police station with her 14-year-old son when the shooting happened.
She said the victim did not appear to be expecting trouble and looked harmless before the attackers approached him. Moments later, gunshots rang out, leaving the man dead in the street.
The mother said her son ran away in fear because the shooters fled in their direction before disappearing into the nearby shacks. She said he believed the gunmen were coming after them.
The experience has left the teenager traumatised. His mother said he keeps talking about what he saw, while she herself froze in shock and could not run when the attack unfolded.
Residents Fear Criminals Are Getting Bolder
Residents in Lower Crossroads say the incident has left them terrified.
Many are concerned that criminals are becoming more brazen and no longer fear carrying out violent attacks in public spaces. The fact that the shooting happened on a busy road, during the morning, has made the community feel even more unsafe.
For families in the area, the fear is not only about the man who was killed. It is also about the children, pedestrians and ordinary residents who can be caught in the middle of violent crimes without warning.
A child witnessing a killing on the street is the kind of trauma no family should have to carry.
Police Open Murder Case
Western Cape police confirmed that Philippi East police have opened a murder case following the shooting.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the incident happened at about 10 am on Sunday, 24 May 2026, in Ntloyiya Road, Lower Crossroads.
At this stage, the motive for the attack remains unknown. No arrests have been made, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Community Wants Answers
The killing has raised difficult questions for residents who already feel under pressure from crime.
People want to know who the victim was, why he was targeted and how gunmen could carry out such a public attack and escape. Until those answers come, fear and speculation are likely to continue spreading in the community.
In areas affected by violent crime, silence often makes things worse. Residents may know something but fear speaking out because they worry about retaliation.
That is why police appeals for information are so important.
A Child Forced to Witness Violence
Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of this story is the 14-year-old boy who saw the killing happen.
At that age, no child should be forced to watch someone die violently in the street. The psychological impact of such an experience can last long after the crime scene has been cleared.
For his mother, the pain is not only about what she saw. It is also about what her son now has to live with.
The incident is another reminder that violent crime does not only affect victims and their families. It scars witnesses, children and entire communities.
Call for Public Assistance
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app.
Even the smallest piece of information could help investigators identify the suspects and establish the motive behind the killing.
For now, Lower Crossroads remains shaken by a brutal public murder that unfolded in front of ordinary residents, including a child who will likely never forget what he saw.
A Community Left in Fear
The Lower Crossroads shooting has left one man dead, a young boy traumatised and residents questioning their safety.
The attack was quick, cold and public. It happened on a Sunday morning, in a place where people should have been able to walk freely without fear. Now, a family is mourning, a community is shaken and police are searching for answers.
Source: Daily Sun
