Community plagued by repeated gang violence

“For me it is really a miracle. The bullet hit Zailin in the back of his head on the right and went right through his skull on the left. Fortunately, there was no damage to his brain. He is still in hospital and is receiving physiotherapy. He can walk, and although his neck is a bit stiff, he is already playing,” Ms Smith said.

- 

Zailin's shooting, which happened a month before his 12th birthday, has been a harrowing ordeal for his family and the Eastridge community, which has been plagued by repeated gang violence in recent months.

“Zailin just left the house to help my mom pack up their stall. I was in bed already and he told me that he was going back outside to help my mom. A few minutes later I heard the shots go off.

“When I got to the door, I heard my neighbours shout that he was shot, and another neighbour said that he was dead. When I got to the corner of Olive Street, I passed the body of an alleged Fancy Boy.