Police hunt for suspects after boy, 16, shot dead

A 16-year-old boy was shot by a man dressed as a food delivery driver on a moped, an eyewitness to the killing has told the BBC.

They said two boys came down the stairs at a block of flats when the man on the moped took out a gun and shot the boy dead. The other boy ran away, and the moped driver sped off, they added.

Police continue to look for those involved in the fatal shooting of the teenager in Stockwell on Tuesday afternoon.

The Metropolitan Police said the teenager died after being shot in an “enormously shocking incident” on Paradise Road at about 14:30 GMT. Police said inquiries were still ongoing.

No arrests have been made.

The eyewitness added the teenager who died was well known in the area and was involved in gangs.

Those living in the area have been shocked by the incident.

Patricia, who has lived in Stockwell for 21 years, said: “The situation is really bad now. I don’t go out anymore. In the night, I don’t feel safe.

“I feel so bad for the boy. It’s too much for me.”

Sandra, who also lives nearby, told BBC London on Wednesday: “It’s very sad; we know the family. The dad is very well known round here, who brought up our kids in youth clubs.

“It is awful, really sad, and really horrible.”

Roisin and Niamh said: “It feels quite unsafe; we are five girls living in a flat, and to have that on your doorstep is scary.”

They added: “We’re very upset for the whole community, and it’s a big shock to the system arriving home from work and having to sign in and out to get into your flat, with police constant over the last 24 hours.”

Florence Eshalomi, Labour (Co-op) MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, told BBC London she wants people to feel safe within their community.

“Stockwell is a vibrant, diverse, close-knit community. We are going to make sure that there is a visible police presence to reassure people,” she said.

The MP added: “We will not tolerate this level of violence in Stockwell, Vauxhall or Camberwell Green, or anywhere across London.

“This is a sad, wasted life; this boy could have had so much potential. His future has been robbed.

“The family and community will continue to grieve; you can never get over this shock.”

Councillor Dr Mahamed Hashi, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “We are shocked at this tragic violence in our borough in which a teenager has so cruelly been taken from us.

“As a council, we are committed to making Lambeth one of the safest boroughs in London and are working incredibly hard to play our role in ensuring the kind of violence that has so sadly claimed this young person’s life ends, and that all our young people have a secure future here.”

The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said: “This abhorrent violence has absolutely no place in our city.”

Sir Sadiq added: “My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Stockwell.”

On Tuesday, Supt Gabriel Cameron said: “Our thoughts are with the young boy’s family at this devastating time.”

He added: “This is an enormously shocking incident, which I imagine will cause huge distress to the local community.

“Local officers are on the scene gathering CCTV and speaking to witnesses to piece together what has happened.”

A police cordon and road closures remain in place following the third homicide in the capital of someone aged under 25 this year.

Additional reporting by Gem O’Reilly and Barry Caffrey