Man shot dead outside his house

A Khomasdal man was shot dead by an unknown gunman (or more) outside his house in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The deceased, Carlos van Neel, 40, a resident of Karlien Street, worked at Bank Windhoek in the Maintenance Department. He was married and had three children.

The incident happened between 03:30 and 04:00.

According to a relative, Van Neel woke up when he heard noise outside the house and went to investigate. He let the dogs out and then followed them. “As he stepped outside the yard he was shot,” the family member told Namibian Sun.

The wife heard gun shots and also went outside, accompanied by their two tenants. They found Van Neel lying on the ground. His wife took Van Neel to the hospital but he reportedly died upon arrival there.

Graeme Dyason, 60, said this was the third shooting incident in the past 10 years by unknown gunmen in Karlien Street - where Dyason has been living for 32 years.

The first victim, a man, was also shot dead. Dyason himself was a victim of armed robbery and was shot in the leg some 10 years ago. To this day he does not know who shot him.

“People come here because the streets are so quiet,” he said In the past they organised a neighbourhood watch and residents used whistles to alert each other of danger.

“It helped a lot. Now new people moved into the neighbourhood and people stopped using the whistles,” he said.

An in-law of Van Neel who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was a dedicated husband and father to his wife and children and had “a strong will to achieve anything in life”.

“I cannot translate into words how I will remember him through this time but he was the pillar of the family. He was always there and a person to count on,” he said.

The family is busy with funeral preparations but by yesterday the date of the burial was not yet announced.

Deputy Commissioner Sylvanus Nghishidimbwa, Khomas Region Crime Investigation Coordinator, said he cannot at this stage reveal much information as the Police is busy with the investigations.

“But I can confirm that a man died from gunshot wounds. He was shot more than once.” Nghishidimbwa said the perpetrator, or perpetrators, are unknown.

click to enlarge MURDERED: Carlos van Neel was shot dead outside his house in Khomasdal © CONTRIBUTED

click to enlarge INCIDENT SCENE: The scene outside the house where Carlos van Neel was shot dead © FEODORA VON FRANCOIS