A 10-year-old Durban boy accidentally shot dead his 13-year-old friend after finding a gun in the garage where they were playing, police said on Tuesday.
Superintendent Danelia Veldhuizen said that Khanyisani Mngadi and his 10-year-old friend were playing in the garage at another friend’s house in Umlazi on Monday afternoon when the younger boy found the gun behind a sofa.
Apparently thinking the gun was a toy, the 10-year-old somehow managed to cock it and fire a shot. The bullet ricocheted off the wall and struck Mngadi.
Police were called and Mngadi was rushed to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi, but was declared dead on arrival.
Veldhuizen said a murder case had been opened against the 10-year-old, who was released into the custody of his parents.
The owner of the gun will also face charges of failing to secure his weapon. — Sapa