Daughter critical after dad gunned down

THE daughter of a Phoenix taxi and tavern owner who was with him when he was shot dead during a drive-by shooting outside their home is in critical condition in hospital.

The Daily News yesterday reported that self-confessed drug dealer Vernon John, 33, was shot while he was parked in his VW Golf in Southbury Avenue on Sunday afternoon. His daughter, 7, and niece, 11, were injured.

His wife Kesnee was inconsolable at Mount Edgecombe Hospital yesterday while waiting for her daughter Dianna’s test results.

The bullet had entered Dianna’s chest.

Keshnee was not available for comment.

John’s neighbours said the family mostly kept to themselves.

One of them said he had been watching television when he heard what sounded like fireworks.

A few minutes later he heard people screaming. When the neighbour rushed out of his house, a bloodied John had been put into a friend’s car and rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

There was a similar attempt on John’s life last year when he was shot while driving through Phoenix.

John was the owner of several “Block 66” minibus taxis.

Ward councillor Tino Pillay is calling for police to form a crack team and intervene.

Phoenix police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder.