A man of 40 was shot dead at a memorial gathering on Braybrook Street on 2 October. No arrests yet; detectives say over 50 people were there. How to help.

A 40-year-old man was shot dead at a memorial gathering in East Acton a week ago, and detectives say more than 50 people were nearby when it happened.

No arrests have been made. The Metropolitan Police has made a direct appeal to everyone who was there to come forward.

Police were called at 7.47pm on Friday 2 October after people heard multiple shots at the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street. The London Ambulance Service treated the man, but he died at the scene. That is according to the Met’s first statement, issued the next day.

A post-mortem examination found that he died from a gunshot wound to the chest. The Met said so in an update on Thursday 8 October, in which it also named him. He was from west London, and his family are being supported by specialist officers.

Where it happened

Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street are on the Old Oak estate, beside Wormwood Scrubs. The area is known locally as East Acton, and the Met’s statements use that name. The streets themselves are just inside the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, about 200 metres east of the Ealing boundary and of Ealing’s East Acton ward.

What the police say happened

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie is leading the investigation. He said a large number of people had gathered for a memorial service.

“What should have been a time to come together in remembrance has instead left a family devastated,” he said.

In the first statement, the Met said it believed between 40 and 50 people, including children, were present. By 8 October that estimate had risen to more than 50 people in the area at the time.

The Met says detectives have so far:

  • trawled CCTV extensively
  • carried out witness enquiries
  • made detailed forensic examinations of the scene

What detectives want to know

DCI Howie asked anyone who was near Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street or Wormwood Scrubs playground between 6pm and 8pm on 2 October to think about what they saw. He asked in particular about:

  • anyone carrying or concealing weapons
  • people on bicycles acting suspiciously
  • vehicles being driven at speed

“We know there are people who witnessed important moments before, during or after the shooting who have not yet come forward,” he said.

The Met also wants photographs and video, including dashcam, doorbell and mobile phone footage. Its first statement also asked to hear from anyone who had seen anything relevant on social media.

What it means for you

  • If you were there or nearby, call the police on 101 and quote CAD 7011/2Oct. The Met says even footage that seems insignificant could matter.
  • If you have video or photos, the Met’s first statement links to its major incident portal, where you can upload them.
  • If you would rather not give your name, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
  • If you have a doorbell camera on the streets around the estate or along the edge of the Scrubs, check what it recorded between 6pm and 8pm that Friday.

Sources