Johannesburg – A 22-year-old female crime prevention warden Chesnay Patricia Keppler has been shot dead in Eldorado Park allegedly by her police officer boyfriend.
The off-duty warden was fatally shot at her home in Smarag Street on Boxing Day, (Thursday 26 December 2024).
Allegations are that in the early hours, at about 03:00, the police sergeant went to a house on Smarag Street to see his girlfriend.
The sergeant was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he drove a police vehicle to Eldorado Park in the company of another policeman.
On arrival at Keppler’s place, the sergeant allegedly forced her to get into the police vehicle, while her mother and two friends watched in horror.
The Sergeant allegedly beat up his girlfriend and when her friends tried to intervene, the police officer turned on them.
However, witnesses said the women eventually overpowered the sergeant, broke free, and ran into the house, where they locked themselves inside.
One of the friends filmed the violent episode with a cellphone.
The video shows the sergeant walking back to the police vehicle. He retrieved his firearm before returning to the yard.
Standing at the kitchen window, the sergeant allegedly fired multiple times at Keppler.
She was taken to Baragwanath Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.
A witness told the police that the warden had endured an abusive relationship with the sergeant for some time.
IPID – the independent body that investigates deaths, rape, torture, and assault by police officers – said after the shooting the sergeant fled the scene.
Police located the accused, but before they could arrest him, the sergeant shot himself.
He is in hospital under police guard and was expected to make his first appearance at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday, (30 December 2024).
