/ 30 April 2007

Man kills three-year-old, tries to shoot wife

A Zastron man shot dead his three-year-old daughter and tried to shoot his wife before turning the gun on himself, police said on Monday.

Inspector Harry Nagel said the 32-year-old man allegedly shot the girl first and then tried to shoot her mother in Matlakeng at about 4.30pm on Sunday.

”It seems the woman put up a struggle and a shot went off. She fell between the bed and wall, and the man, thinking she was dead, turned the gun on himself.”

The woman was not hurt.

Nagel said the man fell on top of the woman, who managed to call for help.

Police said the suspect was found with a bullet wound to the head and was being treated under police guard at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. He will face charges of murder and attempted murder in court once discharged.

The reason for the attack was not known. — Sapa