Bloemfontein – A 15-year-old schoolboy is expected to appear in Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court soon after shooting a teacher at his school, police said on Friday.

Sergeant Sellwane Mapamela said the incident occurred at around 10:45.

“This morning, a 15-year-old boy was chasing three other pupils at school. He was stopped by the deputy principal, asking him why he was chasing them,” Mapamela said.

“During this questioning, the boy pulled a pistol from behind his back but a shot did not go off.”

Mapamela said the boy then ran away. Two teachers followed and tried to disarm him. During the scuffle, a shot went off, hitting one of the teachers in the right lower leg.

Mapamela said the boy again ran off and was accosted by police in DF Malan Street in Sasolburg. The firearm, believed to be that of his grandfather, was found in his possession.

The boy was in police custody and undergoing psychological assessment.

The wounded teacher was in a stable condition and receiving treatment at a local Sasolburg hospital. According to Corenl van Heerden, a Beeld photographer, the teacher’s name is Johan Jordaan.

Mamapela said an attempted murder docket had been opened.

“A case of pointing a firearm and attempted murder has been registered for further investigation.”

– SAPA