'I'm tired of life' then shots
2008-07-11 08:54
Barberton - A 50-year-old man shot his grandson, his daughter and then himself, said Mpumalanga police on Thursday.
Superintendent Abie Khoabane said the Fairview mine worker, who lived with two of his children and a grandson, phoned his family and friends about 23:00 on Tuesday night to tell them he was tired of life.
His 14-year-old son went to a neighbour to ask for his help to intervene with his father. While the two were talking they heard a shot, then a second and then a third shot from inside the house.
When it was silent, the two went into the house and found the one-year-old grandson shot in the head. He was dead.
They then found the man's 20-year-old daughter with a gunshot wound to her head. She was alive and was taken to a hospital where she was reportedly fighting for her life.
Should seek advice
The two also discovered the father with a gunshot wound to his head. He died in the house.
Police were investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and were conducting an inquest into the suspected suicide.
Khoabane said: "If people are having difficult times, be they marital or whatever, they should seek advice from social workers in the area, church staff or ministers or any person of good standing in the community.
"They can discuss their problems with them rather than taking their own life and those of the people around them."
- SAPA