Lavender Hill grieves for Ashtin Brooks as killers remain at large

As the murder of 13-year-old Ashtin Brooks remains unsolved, Lavender Hill is grappling not only with grief but with deepening fear and frustration. While police have made no arrests since his killing on Friday, January 16, hundreds of residents gathered in solidarity to mourn his life at a packed funeral service on Saturday, January 24.

Community leaders say Ashtin’s death is a painful reminder that violence in their neighbourhoods is rooted in deeper social challenges. While stronger law enforcement is necessary, they argue that real solutions must begin at home. Leaders are calling for a community wellness census to identify the needs and struggles within households.

Ralph Bowers of the Guardians of the National Treasure described the situation as reaching a breaking point. “Our communities are at a critical stage,” he said.

“We must fix things at ground level. Crime is fought from the top, but the root causes are in the homes.”

Clive Jacobs of the Lavender Hill Community Outreach Programme said the funeral reflected the depth of the community’s pain.

“The church was packed, not a single seat empty,” he said.

Schoolmates, soccer players, and pupils in grey and blue uniforms from Prince George Primary, filled the church, waiting for hours to pay their respects.

As the white-and-gold coffin was brought into the church, emotions overwhelmed mourners. Ashtin’s mother broke down in tears, while his grandmother, a well-known community activist Ayesha Davids, struggled to contain her grief, said Mr Jacobs.

A week before his funeral a  crowd of about 300 people stood in solidarity at a placard demonstration on Joe Marks Boulevard, Lavender Hill, to pay tribute to Ashtin ("Community mourns the death of 13-year-old Ashtin Brooks in Seawinds, January 19).

Ashtin Brooks, described as a promising, respectful, and vibrant boy by those who knew him, died after he was shot in the back of his head in an alleged gang shooting in St Peter’s Street on Friday afternoon at about 5.05pm ("Community mourns the tragic loss of 13-year-old Ashtin Brooks in Seawinds").

Residents of Lavender Hill, greater Retreat and Steenberg say the ongoing gang violence has turned their communities into battlegrounds, with children increasingly caught in the crossfire. They are pleading for a united, sustained approach to protect young people, warning that no one feels safe and tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Lieutenant Colonel Nokwanda Harmans, station commander of Muizenberg Police, said: “The body of the victim was discovered lying on the side of the road, covered with a green plastic sheet. A spent bullet cartridge was found near the body.

“Community members informed police that a shooting had occurred between rival gangs, with gunfire exchanged from the Lavender Hill side and the Overcome Heights side. Residents reportedly fled into their homes for safety during the shooting. When they later emerged, they discovered the body of the deceased boy lying in the street."

The case is currently under investigation  and o arrests have been made.

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