Man, 40, shot dead in west London as crowds gathered for memorial service

Metropolitan Police detectives have launched a murder investigation after a 40-year-old man was shot dead in East Acton, west London, as crowds gathered for a memorial service.

Police were called at 19:47 on Friday after members of the public heard multiple shots at the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street, near Wormwood Scrubs playground. Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service, who treated the victim; despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to establish the cause of death, though the victim is believed to have sustained a gunshot wound. No arrests have been made, and a crime scene remains in place on Braybrook Street.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, said the man’s life was taken “in a senseless act of violence”. He said officers believe between 40 and 50 people, including children, had gathered for the memorial service, and appealed for anyone who was around Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, the surrounding roads or the playground between 18:00 and 20:00 to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police via 101 quoting CAD 7011/2Oct, upload material to the police major incident portal, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Sources

• Metropolitan Police, “Murder investigation launched following death in East Acton”, https://news.met.police.uk/news/murder-investigation-launched-following-death-in-east-acton-513541
• The Telegraph, “Murder investigation after man, 40, shot in west London” (corroborating report)
• Sky News / ITVX (corroborating reports)