Global Information2008 Skierlik shooting information
| 2008 Skierlik shooting | |
|---|---|
  Skierlik Skierlik (North West (South African province))  Skierlik Skierlik (South Africa) | |
| Location | Skierlik, North West, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 25°37′51″S 26°58′02″E / 25.6308°S 26.9672°E |
| Date | 14 January 2008 |
| Target | Black people |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Weapon | .303 BSA bolt-action rifle |
| Deaths | 4 |
| Injured | 8 |
| Perpetrator | Johan Nel |
| Motive | Racism, possibly revenge for farm attacks |
| Convictions |
|
| Sentence | 4 life terms and 68 years in prison |
The 2008 Skierlik shooting occurred on 14 January 2008, when a teenage Afrikaner opened fire in Skierlik, a township near Swartruggens, South Africa, killing 4 black people and injuring 8 in a racially motivated attack. The shooter, Johan Nel, had shouted racial expletives during the shooting and was arrested after attempting to seek refuge at a nearby farm. He was awaiting sentencing for shooting and paralyzing a black man who had allegedly attacked him when he was 13. Nel was sentenced to four life sentences and 68 years in prison.