A 40-year-old man has been shot dead at a memorial service in East Acton, prompting a murder investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Officers were called at around 7.47pm on Friday after reports of multiple shots heard at the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street.
Incident details
Around 50 people, including children, had gathered for the memorial service when the shooting occurred. Police and London Ambulance Service crews attended the scene and treated the man, but he was pronounced dead despite their efforts.
While a post-mortem examination has not yet taken place, the Metropolitan Police said the victim is "believed to have sustained a gunshot wound". No arrests have been made, and the man's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Investigation and appeal
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, leading the investigation, said the incident happened as a "large number of people had gathered for a memorial service". He added: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of a man whose life was taken in a senseless act of violence. We understand a large number of people had gathered for a memorial service and what should have been a time to come together in remembrance has instead left a family devastated."
Howie said between 40 and 50 people, including children, were present when the incident occurred, and appealed for anyone with information to come forward. He urged witnesses who were around Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, the surrounding roads or Wormwood Scrubs playground between 18:00hrs and 20:00hrs to consider what they saw, including anyone carrying or concealing weapons, people on bicycles acting suspiciously, or vehicles driven at speed.
Detectives are also seeking photographs, video, dashcam, doorbell or mobile phone footage, or anything relevant seen on social media. Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting CAD 7011/2Oct.
