Cape Town – Three suspects, including a 16-year-old boy, have been apprehended in connection with the execution-style murder of 19-year-old Darren Petersen, who was allegedly killed for refusing to join a local gang. The arrests come less than a week after the horrific shooting in Don Street, Manenberg, which claimed Petersen's life.
Khiyaam Solomons, Greshwin Applegreen, and a minor appeared at Athlone Magistrates Court on Friday, where they were formally charged with Petersen's murder. The case has been postponed to 17 April for a bail information hearing.
According to Manenberg police station commander, Brigadier Jayce Naidoo, Detective Sergeant Daryl van Noie has been working tirelessly to bring justice to the families of recent murder victims in the area.
Naidoo confirmed the arrests, stating: "Three males, aged 16, 18, and 32, have been arrested for the execution-style murder of a 19-year-old male in Don Street, Manenberg. The victim, allegedly a member of a local gang, was shot in the back of the head, execution style. The suspects, belonging to a rival gang, appeared in court on 11 April 2025 and remain in custody."
The investigation revealed that Petersen was caught in a dispute between two rival gangs in the area. A minor was allegedly used to lure him away from his home, setting the stage for the fatal attack.
Last Sunday, tears flowed in Don Street as the devastated family of Darren Petersen gathered around his lifeless body. A family friend, who requested anonymity, told the Daily Voice that the family was alerted to the shooting by residents screaming that Petersen had been shot.
"His family was not at home at the time of the shooting. As they came down the road they heard a shot and people started running and screaming that he was shot and that is when everyone gathered in Don Street," the friend recounted.
As police cordoned off the scene, the community learned that a woman wearing a red sweater had allegedly lured Petersen to meet with gang members. "We were told the young woman came and called him and told him that the Americans were going to give him a tjappie and a gun and he apparently refused," the insider revealed.
"We found out that in an attempt to escape the gang, he told them he must first go home and fetch his phone and we believed they became suspicious that he may run away after refusing and they just shot him right there," the friend added.
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, confirmed the shooting, stating that officers responded to the incident shortly after 8pm. "Manenberg police were busy with patrols on Sunday when they responded to a complaint of a shooting incident," Swartbooi said.
"Upon arrival at the crime scene in Don Street at about 8.05pm, they found an unidentified man who sustained gunshot wounds. Upon arrival of the medical personnel, they declared the male aged 19 deceased on the scene," he continued. "The unknown suspects fled the scene and they are yet to be arrested. The motive for this attack is yet to be determined. Manenberg police are investigating a murder."
According to the family friend, Petersen, who worked for a retailer, was previously involved with a child gang known as Only The Brave but had left to avoid gang activity. The group is known for clashing with rival gangs, often engaging in stone-throwing fights.
"He was part of the klipgooiers but he left like many other young boys. When finished school, he went to work instead and like many others they were just trying to enjoy themselves but the big gangs wouldn’t let them go and often demand that they take a tjappie," the friend explained. "We believe that there was a lot of jealousy because the boys were working and looking after themselves."
