US musician Solange Knowles has added her voice in solidarity with South Africans as they call for justice after the death of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julius allegedly at the hands of police on Wednesday night.
Rest in peace young Nathaniel Julius. Happy Birthday beautiful Toyin. We are still fighting for you Breonna. There's such a limit to these words, but we will never forget you. What is justice with all of this loss & pain.
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) August 27, 2020
Gauteng premier David Makhura told TimesLIVE that the teen, who had Down syndrome, was caught in the crossfire between police and a gang in the area. Makhura said police were responding to a tip-off about stolen car parts when he was shot.
“The boy, who was disabled, was allegedly caught in the crossfire between a gang and the SA Police Service on Wednesday. I am very disturbed about the events that led to the passing of an innocent boy,” Makhura said.
Ipid spokesperson Ndileka Cola said Julius' family members have been contacted as part of the investigation. She said the protests made it difficult for the investigators to conduct interview with residents.
Some of the protesters sustained minor to moderate injuries, but there were no fatalities according to ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring.
These are some of the messages shared on Twitter:
Condolences to his Family and may they get Justice for the Young Boys Death 😔🇿🇦🙏🏾 #EldoradoPark #JusticeforNathanielJulius pic.twitter.com/PVr6abNPXQ
— Roboto x3 (@Robot_Boii) August 27, 2020
He was 16. He was hiding from boys that were bullying him. He was eating biscuits, You took his life.
— Ubaid Shaik (@Ubaidshaik5) August 27, 2020
He fell under a truck. You took his body and threw him in your van. You took him to the hospital and said He died from Gang violence.
He was innocent.#JusticeforNathanielJulius
#JusticeforNathanielJulius !!! Police brutality exists in South Africa !!!
— knoxman (@SupremeFentse) August 27, 2020
