[imagesource: @chanellxstanley/Twitter]

Be forewarned, the following story contains graphic descriptions of violence and a dead body.

It’s also heartbreaking.

16-year-old Nathaniel Julies was gunned down in Eldorado Park, in Soweto, Gauteng, on Wednesday.

The death of the Down Syndrome teen has sent shockwaves through the community, who took to the streets on Thursday to protest his death.

Nathaniel was allegedly shot by a police officer who later dumped him at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where he died.

TimesLIVE reports that Gauteng Premier David Makhura has responded to the allegations that Nathaniel was killed by a police officer, stating that he “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.

A man who claims to have witnessed the shooting describes what he saw:

#EldoradoPark Witnesses explaining how #NathanielJulius was killed. KM#Eldosprotest #JusticeforNathanielJulius pic.twitter.com/vQE7XcOf1B

— Kgomotso Modise (@motso_modise) August 27, 2020

Nathaniel’s grieving mother, Bridgette, explains what she found when she went to identify his body, per IOL.

Prepare yourself:

“I went to identify him and to find him in that condition. It was so devastating. It was like they were killing a dog.”

“On his chest it looked muddy with blood and I was told that he was bubbling blood through his mouth and nose.”

“My sweet loving boy is gone. Police should be protecting us and we must trust them but when such things happen it cuts deep.”

Nathaniel’s sister, Petunia, outlined the events leading up to his death as she understood them to have happened:

[WATCH] The family of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julius say they want justice for his death. The disabled teen was allegedly shot and killed by cops. @malungelob speaks to his sister, Petunia.

Tune into #Newzroom405 for more. pic.twitter.com/hjhhyfJwjo

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 27, 2020

The cries of “justice!” that you can hear in the background of her interview have manifested as mass violent protests and clashes with the police:

Eldorado Park resident Fagmida Brown said a stray rubber bullet landed on her chest while walking to the police station.

“I was not part of the protest but I was shot just for walking to the police station to see my nephew, who was locked up for filming the protest with his phone.”

eNCA spoke to more people injured during the protests, including a mother who was on her way to fetch her child from school:

More footage of the protests was captured by journalists and those participating:

Eldorado Park @SAPoliceService – Members of the community are protesting…after a teenager allegedly died at the hands of police. pic.twitter.com/m0AWDEdACy

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 27, 2020

A police officer stating “let’s get my rifle, I’m going to kill” before going back into the fray.

@FaithMazibukoSA @David_Makhura @GeoffMakhubo The utterance of this metro police officer during yesterday’s clashes with the community of Eldorado Park is very disturbing and warrants a full investigation. #JusticeforNathanielJulius pic.twitter.com/Rutn94umWC

— Truly Blessed (@princecloete) August 28, 2020

A journalist, ‘Yeshiel Panchia’ on Twitter, commented below the above video, (posted by @princecloete), claiming that he was standing near the officer when he said this, and that “it was said in response to live ammunition being fired towards the police just moments before – 4 shots – he wasn’t speaking about the protesters”.

It still warrants an investigation.

[WATCH] #EldoradoPark residents clash with police following the death of a child in the area. #Newzroom405‘s @malungelob is on the scene bringing you live updates.

Watch live now on #Newzroom405.

Full story: https://t.co/JflS1JoXyd pic.twitter.com/uZ1mLvXnmE

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 27, 2020

Lufuno Kalby Johnson posted a TikTok video of Nathaniel participating in the viral Jerusalema Dance challenge with a friend:

#JusticeForNathanielJulius
Shot dead by a eldorado park Police officer. #EldoradoPark #KaizerChiefs #boity #Bushiri #Jerusalema100Million #JerusalemaDanceChallenge #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/evz4GIrRGw

— Lufuno Kalby Johnson (@Kalby_Johnson) August 27, 2020

An investigation has been launched by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to get to the bottom of the accusations against SAPS.

IPID spokesperson Ndileka Cola said investigators struggled to access the scene on Wednesday as the situation was volatile.

“When they ultimately managed to access it, it was almost impossible to conduct interviews as the community was violent,” she said.

Brutality perpetuated by law enforcement is far too commonplace in South Africa.

The death of Collins Khosa at the hands of SANDF members stands out, but it’s just one example of law enforcement’s failure to ensure the safety of our citizens.

When something goes unchecked for too long, the anger that it amasses will eventually find an outlet.

[sources:iol&timeslive]