By Lisalee Solomons.
Gauteng police are searching for three people who robbed a McDonald’s in Brickfield, Meadowdale, Gauteng, on Friday night and killed a six-year-old boy who was seated in a car with his parents at the drive-through section.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, said two of the robbers entered the fast food restaurant and took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing.
“It is alleged that while they were robbing the store, a third suspect who was driving a getaway car approached a vehicle at the drive-through with the father, mother and their six-year-old son inside.
“He robbed them of their belongings and fired a shot at their car before instructing them to drive off,” said Nevhuhulwi.
As they made their way home, the couple realised the boy had been shot and immediately rushed him to hospital.
But it was too late.
“A case of murder and business robbery has been opened for further investigation, and no one has been arrested as yet,” Nevhuhulwi said.
The Bedfordview community policing forum (CPF) said security companies reviewed all available camera footage and collaborated with the police to find and arrest the perpetrators.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the innocent child whose life was cut short by this senseless shooting,” said the CPF.
McDonald’s chief marketing officer Daniel Padiachy confirmed the “unfortunate” incident.
“This is a devastating moment for the family, our team, and the broader community, and our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family during this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
He added that the loss of a child during the incident was “heartbreaking” for the franchise.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost sensitivity and care. Our team is fully cooperating with the authorities to support their investigation and ensure that justice is served,” he said.
The incident comes after a deadly fast food robbery in September last year, in which an 11-year-old girl died. She was killed during a carjacking at a McDonald’s in Malvern, Durban while hiding from gunmen under her family’s vehicle.
Zarah Ramsamy was run over as the vehicle was hijacked in the parking lot of the fast food outlet.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention, but was declared dead on arrival.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the hijacked vehicle was recovered, but that the perpetrators were still at large.