‘He put his arm around her then shot her’

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Johannesburg - A Joburg family are mourning the death of Mikaela Bagley, 19, after she was shot and killed, allegedly by her mother’s boyfriend. The bizarre shooting was witnessed by Mikaela’s boyfriend, Kaylin Roberts, 19, who was travelling with her on Saturday night. Kaylin’s father, Grant Roberts, said the two were on their way to Mikaela’s home in Robertsham, Joburg, when they were flagged down by the alleged gunman. Grant said he believed the man knew the young couple were on their way to Mikaela’s home because Mikaela had told her mother they were coming.

The gunman allegedly parked his car not far from the house, and when the teenagers drove past, he stopped them.

Grant said Mikaela pulled over because they recognised the man’s car.

“They thought that maybe he was with Mikaela’s mother and they wanted to give them the keys to the house. They parked the car behind him and he walked over to the driver’s window.

“He put his arm around Mikaela’s neck and shot her in the head,” Grant said.

He was recounting the incident based on what his son had told him.

Mikaela died instantly.

“Kaylin got out of the car and ran and he (the gunman) ran after him and kept on shooting,” Grant said.

Kaylin was chased and shot at until he reached his parents’ house not far from where the shooting occurred. He was unharmed.

The Roberts family said they suspected there was an argument between Mikaela’s mother and her partner, and that he took it out on Mikaela.

They are certain that the murder was premeditated.

Kaylin’s mother, Amanda Roberts, said security guards stationed in the area where the shooting occurred said they had seen the gunman’s car being driven around the suburb for some time, before Mikaela and Kaylin drove by.

Grant said the gunman had fingered Kaylin, a Grade 12 pupil currently busy with his matric exams, as the perpetrator.

It was only after witnesses gave their account of what had happened to the police that the man was arrested.

“He tried to take the blood off his hands and put the blame on a 19-year-old. What kind of a man does that?” Grant asked. He said the family were not sure if Kaylin would be able to continue writing his matric exams.

“I don’t know how he’s going to write. He’s feeling guilty for running away. He feels responsible for what happened,” Grant said.

Mikaela’s father, Curt Bagley, said he also suspected his daughter was killed because of a vendetta. “I think it’s vendetta, but we don’t know the motive,” he said.

Police spokesman Constable Michael Kgatle said the suspect had been arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. He was expected to appear in court on Tuesday.

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The Star