Three killed in Springs family murder

Three people were killed in a shooting spree after an argument between a man and his ex-wife in Springs, police say.

Captain Johannes Ramphora said the man shot dead his ex-wife, 40, his friend and himself. He also shot and wounded his 20-year-old stepson.

The man apparently drove with a friend to his wife's house in Victoria Road, Casseldale, at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. "He drove up to her driveway and blew the hooter. She came out carrying her baby," said Ramphora.

An argument apparently ensued and the man pulled out a gun.    "He shot his friend in the car and the wife ran into the house. He followed her and shot her and her stepson, before shooting himself."

The three-year-old baby was left unharmed.

The stepson was wounded in the head, and was taken to the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg in a serious condition.

Ramphora said the 9mm Baretta pistol used in the shooting was stolen as it had its serial number filed off. The white Toyota Corolla that he drove was also hijacked earlier in the day in Mojela Street, in KwaThema outside Springs.

"We have opened a docket of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and we will investigate whether the deceased was involved in any crime," said Ramphora.

The names of the deceased had not been released as their families had not yet identified them. The ages of the two men were unknown.