Westbury mass shooting: 20-year-old suspect arrested, set to appear in court

A 20-year-old suspect linked to the Westbury mass shooting two weeks ago is set to appear at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the South African Police Services (SAPS) confirmed on Thursday.

Police said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday after he was tracked down to a secret location in Soweto.

This suspect is one of four teenagers who have been linked to the mass shooting that sent shockwaves among the community of Westbury, which has been battling with gang-related crime and violence for a long time.

According to a police report, the suspected gang member, was arrested by the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, in connection with the gang shooting that left two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, dead and five others wounded.

The police indicated that the arrest follows intelligence received by Crime Intelligence, resulting in the members of the AGU members tracing the suspect to a high school in Diepkloof, Soweto where they positively identified and detained.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that the young suspect is facing two charges of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

“The anti-gang unit received crucial information from the crime intelligence unit regarding the location of one of the suspects involved in the recent shooting incident in Westbury, which resulted in a double murder and five counts of attempted murder cases.

“After a thorough briefing, the AGU operationalised this information and successfully identified the suspect’s whereabouts at a high school in Diepkloof,” Muridili stated.

Muridili further indicated said this operation was triggered by intelligence on his suspect's whereabouts, after he was tracked down to Soweto.

"The suspect is expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 31 October 2025. Investigations are ongoing to locate the remaining suspects involved in the incident. Police have urged the public to help by calling the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111 with any information. Community assistance is crucial as investigations continue," the police said.

The police have confirmed that they are still on the manhunt for the rest of his accomplices, who are still at large, despite the police confirming the group of young people are known to the community and the police.

On the day of the shooting, it is reported that the group of assailants, pounced on five of their alleged gang rivals, who had been sitting on the porch on one of the houses in the neighbourhood.

Police confirmed at the time, that only three of the four suspects were carrying firearms, while the fourth one had no gun on him.