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Man shot on Christmas Eve was killed in front of family, police say | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Officers ask for information after 36-year-old shot near his home in Battersea, London | |
A man shot dead on Christmas Eve was killed in front of his family as they returned home from a night out, police have said. | A man shot dead on Christmas Eve was killed in front of his family as they returned home from a night out, police have said. |
Metropolitan police detectives are continuing to appeal for information after the 36-year-old was fatally shot close to his home in Battersea, south-west London. | Metropolitan police detectives are continuing to appeal for information after the 36-year-old was fatally shot close to his home in Battersea, south-west London. |
Police were called to reports of shots being fired in Battersea Church Road at about 9pm and found a man with gunshot wounds. | Police were called to reports of shots being fired in Battersea Church Road at about 9pm and found a man with gunshot wounds. |
He was pronounced dead at the scene, Scotland Yard said. | He was pronounced dead at the scene, Scotland Yard said. |
DCI Jamie Stevenson said: “Our investigation is in the very early stages and we are still working to establish what the motive could be that has led to a man losing his life in such a horrific way, on Christmas Eve, in front of his family. | |
“They have been devastated by this horrible event and are being supported by specialist officers. | “They have been devastated by this horrible event and are being supported by specialist officers. |
“We know that the victim was returning home with his wife and young child following an evening out, when he was shot just yards from his home. | “We know that the victim was returning home with his wife and young child following an evening out, when he was shot just yards from his home. |
“The assailant then fled on foot in the direction of Battersea Bridge Road.” | “The assailant then fled on foot in the direction of Battersea Bridge Road.” |
The death is believed to be the 142nd killing in London in 2019, the highest number in a calendar year since 2008. | |
Last year, there were 141 police-recorded homicides in the capital, according to Home Office statistics. | Last year, there were 141 police-recorded homicides in the capital, according to Home Office statistics. |
Stevenson urged anyone who saw someone fleeing the scene or loitering in the area before the attack to contact the police. | |
Scotland Yard said no arrests had been made, with formal identification and a postmortem examination still to take place. | |
People living near the scene of the shooting had described hearing gunshots followed by a woman screaming “desperately” for help. | |
Vittoria Amati, 60, said she heard “eight to 10” gunshots fired in quick succession. | |
She said: “I then heard the screams of the wife. I came out and realised it was one of my neighbours. | |
“He was lying in front of his doorway in a pool of blood. He was still alive. We were really hoping he would make it. | “He was lying in front of his doorway in a pool of blood. He was still alive. We were really hoping he would make it. |
“You have no idea how desperate she [his wife] sounded.” | “You have no idea how desperate she [his wife] sounded.” |
Amati said a young woman who identified herself as a nurse helped the victim and applied pressure to his wounds. | |
A 24-year-old man, who also lives nearby and did not want to be named, said at one point there were about 10 people gathered outside trying to call 999. | A 24-year-old man, who also lives nearby and did not want to be named, said at one point there were about 10 people gathered outside trying to call 999. |
Supt Richard Smith, of the south-west command unit, said: “There is no suggestion that there is any ongoing risk to members of the local community in Battersea.” |