Met police launch murder inquiry after man shot dead at west London memorial service
A 40-year-old man was shot dead on Friday evening during a memorial gathering in East Acton, west London, in what police call a senseless act of violence. No arrests have been made so far.
The Metropolitan Police have opened a murder investigation after a 40-year-old man was fatally shot during a memorial service in East Acton, west London, on Friday evening. Officers say they were called at 7.47pm following reports of multiple gunshots.
Police and London Ambulance Service crews responded to the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street, where the victim was treated at the scene before being pronounced dead. Investigators believe he suffered a gunshot wound, though a postmortem examination is scheduled to formally establish the cause of death.
According to the Met, between 40 and 50 people, including children, were present at the memorial gathering when the shooting occurred. The victim's family has been informed of his death and is receiving support from specialist officers.
No arrests yet
DCI Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, said what should have been a time for remembrance instead left a family devastated by what he described as a senseless act of violence. He noted that with dozens of witnesses present, someone is likely to know what happened, and urged those with information to come forward.
No arrests have been made so far. Police are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, surrounding roads, or Wormwood Scrubs playground between 6pm and 8pm on Friday to think carefully about what they may have seen — including people carrying or concealing weapons, cyclists behaving suspiciously, or vehicles being driven at speed. Investigators are also asking for any photographs, video, dashcam, doorbell or mobile phone footage, or relevant social media posts that could assist the inquiry.
