Father killed in front of sons

2005-08-06 16:15

Johannesburg - A father of four was shot dead in front of three of his young sons at his home in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night while trying to protect one of his children from attackers, police said on Saturday.

Inspector Joey Jeevan said Steven Gart Peel, 40, sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

Peel's wife, Kathleen, 33, heard the shots from inside the house where she was with their three-year-old son.

By the time she got outside, Peel was dead.

Peel, a soccer coach, was in his yard when two men armed with handguns struck.

He and his sons Nicholas, 13, Francois, 12, and Damien, 10, were on their way back from Collegians Club in Pietermaritzburg.

"One of the suspects opened the front passenger door and allegedly pointed a firearm at Nicholas' head," Jeevan said.

"Peel immediately responded and told the suspect to take his money and his vehicle.

"However, the other suspect went round to Peel's side of the vehicle and fired several shots through the window."

Jeevan said both suspects immediately fled on foot into some bushes.

Five 9mm expended cartridges were found at the scene.

"At this stage we do not have a motive for murder, and no arrests have been made" Jeevan said.

Peel was sales manager at the Willowfontein Quarry in Edendale and is the elder brother of Inspector Ian Peel of the SA Police Service Midlands Area Project Team.

- SAPA