Eugene Titus was a local businessman in the Atlantis area.
Image: Facebook
The community of Atlantis in the Western Cape is reeling in shock after taxi violence spilled into the area, resulting in a shooting incident outside a local high school, leaving two dead.
Just before 3pm, as learners were leaving school, gunshots rang out outside Atlantis Senior Secondary.
A local businessman and taxi owner, Eugene Titus, and a 14-year-old Grade 8 girl, were shot dead. Two other school learners were also injured during the shooting incident.
The Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, confirmed the shooting incident.
“On Wednesday, at about 2.50pm Atlantis SAPS members responded to a shooting incident at a secondary school in Palmer Avenue, Avondale, Atlantis. Upon their arrival, they found a white Toyota Quantum taxi standing outside the school premises, and inside, they found the body of a 42-year-old male lying in his vehicle.
The shooting incident took place outside a local high school in Atlantis on Wednesday afternoon as learners were leaving.
Image: Supplied
“The deceased sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the back of his body (back and buttocks). The members further found another deceased, a 14-year-old female, lying inside the school yard. She sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her chest,” van Wyk said.
Police confirmed two more victims were injured in the shooting and were taken to the local hospital for medical treatment.
“A 14-year-old learner (female) sustained a gunshot wound to her back. Another 16-year-old female was grazed by a bullet.
“According to reports, an unidentified male approached the taxi driver while he was waiting to load the children, and randomly started shooting at the driver as well as the waiting children in the taxi. Atlantis police registered two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder for investigation,” van Wyk said.
A Grade 8 learner was struck during the shooting incident.
Image: Supplied
The motive for the shooting incident is believed to be taxi-related.
“This case docket will be transferred to the Provincial Detectives: Taxi Violence Investigations Unit for further investigation,” van Wyk said.
Reports claim the shooting is linked to the ongoing feud between the Western Cape’s two major taxi associations: Cata and Codeta.
Titus was associated with Codeta and served on the local board.
A source told IOL that this was the second attempt on Titus’ life.
On Friday, February 20, while heading back to Atlantis after he and his soccer team were returning from an away soccer match, they were accosted by unknown gunmen.
“When they returned home, gunmen were waiting along the N7/Philadelphia turn off for them. They open fired on the vehicle. Fortunately, not him (Titus), players, and coaches were not injured,” the source said.
Atlantis Ward Councillor Allister Lightburn has condemned the senseless shooting.
Image: Facebook
Ward Councillor, Allister Lightburn, has expressed his shock at the senseless murders.
“A society cannot fathom this barbarity and lawlessness and the senseless killings of a young entrepreneur and a 14-year-old girl who had her whole future ahead of her, taken away by bloodthirsty, cold-hearted murderers. A school that is supposed to be a safe space for our children to be overtaken by an abnormal incident like this is unacceptable. My heartfelt condolences to the family of Eugene 'Spoed' Titus and the 14-year-old girl.
“I pray that God will strengthen you during your time of bereavement. I want to tell the staff, learners, and school governing body of Atlantis Senior Secondary that we, as a community, are thinking of you during this time and that the learners and staff get the necessary assistance and counselling to deal with this unfortunate incident,” Lightburn said.
He called on law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to book.
Lightburn further urged the community of Atlantis to support the school, affected families, and stand together during this devastating period.
A letter was sent out to parents on Wednesday by Atlantis Senior Secondary School after the shooting.
Image: Supplied
In a letter released by the school, it confirmed the incident and cleared any rumours.
“The matter is under police investigation, and therefore the school is not allowed to make any official statements other than say it appears that the incident was not gang-related and not aimed at any learner,” the letter read.
The school asked members of the public to refrain from sharing any sensitive footage.
The incident has left learners and staff traumatised, and counselling services will be offered at the school.
“Trauma counselling will be provided at the school by the Metro North Education Department’s psychologists and social workers to learners and staff. Atlantis SAPS victim support will also be on the premises,” it read.
Police urge anyone with information about this shooting incident to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL