Tyrone Philander, the younger brother of former South African all-rounder Vernon Philander, was gunned down near his family's home town of Ravensmead in Cape Town on Wednesday (October 7). Vernon confirmed the tragic incident on Twitter.
The 32-year-old Tyrone was reportedly delivering water to a neighbor in Ravensmead on Wednesday afternoon when he was shot. According to an African News Agency (ANA), Tyrone’s shattered mother Bonita, accompanied by a family member, watched in horror as her son's body lay in the street.
Western Cape Police Spokesman Captain FC van Wyk has confirmed that police are investigating a murder case after a shooting at around 1:10 p.m. at the corner of 7th Avenue and Webner Street in Ravensmead, where Tyrone was shot dead.
The Philander family issued a statement seeking privacy as the issue is now a subject of police investigation since the assailant is reportedly still at large.
The statement reads: “Our family is coming to terms with the brutal murder in my hometown of Ravensmead earlier today. I would like to ask that the family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time. The murder is now the subject of a police investigation and we respectfully ask that the media give the police the space to conduct a thorough investigation.”
It added, “There are no details around the incident at the moment and speculation will make it very difficult for us as a family to mourn in peace. Tyrone is forever in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, Vernon, who retired from international cricket this year, confirmed the news sharing family statement on Twitter and thanked the public for their messages of support.
He tweeted: “Our family is coming to terms with the brutal murder in my hometown of Ravensmead earlier today. I would like to ask that the family's privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
Noteworthy, Philander played 64 Tests, 30 ODIs and seven T20Is in which he scalped 224, 41 and 4 wickets respectively for South Africa.
(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)
