Man, 40, shot dead at memorial service in East Acton, west London; murder inquiry launched

Mixed · 2A 40-year-old man was shot dead on Friday 2 October at the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street in East Acton, west London, and the Metropolitan Police has launched a murder investigation. 1 2 Mixed · 2Officers were called at around 7.47pm after members of the public reported hearing multiple shots; the London Ambulance Service also attended, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of medical staff. 1 2 Mixed · 2Police believe 40 to 50 people, including children, were present, having gathered for a memorial service. 3 4

Centre · 2The Evening Standard describes the shooting as taking place while people were attending a memorial gathering "nearby" and gives the call time as about 7.45pm, while the BBC, GB News and the earlier account give 7.47pm; the BBC, citing the Met, says the gathering was "up to 50 people". 5 6 Left · 2A post-mortem examination had not yet taken place, but the man is believed to have sustained a gunshot wound. 1 4 Mixed · 2No arrests have been made; detectives are working to establish the full circumstances, and a cordon or crime scene remained in place on Braybrook Street. 2 3

Mixed · 2The man's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. 1 2 Mixed · 2Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, called it a "senseless act of violence" that left a family devastated at what should have been a time of remembrance, and said "Someone knows what happened and we need them to come forward." 2 3 Mixed · 2Police appealed to anyone who was around Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, surrounding roads or the Wormwood Scrubs playground between 6pm and 8pm, asking whether they saw anyone carrying or concealing weapons, people on bicycles acting suspiciously or vehicles driven at speed, and for photo, video, dashcam or doorbell footage. 2 1

Mixed · 2Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference CAD 7011/2Oct. 2 4 Mixed · 2The victim has not been named, and coverage gives no suspect description, motive or link to the memorial service. 1 3