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Harlesden murder: Young men shot dead by 'gunman wearing surgical mask' outside funeral wake in north west London

Fatal shooting: Forensic officers at the scene: NIGEL HOWARD ©
Fatal shooting: Forensic officers at the scene: NIGEL HOWARD ©

A young man was shot dead outside a funeral wake by a gunman wearing a surgical mask who fired at least eight times before being driven away, witnesses told the Standard.

Neighbours said more than 100 well-wishers had gathered for the traditional Caribbean "nine nights" celebration in Harlesden, to honour another young man who died last week. They were seen to flee as gunshots rang out.

Police called to Windrush Road at just after 3am battled to save the victim's life but he was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene. His death marks the capital’s seventh violent killing in just 12 days.

Scotland Yard are in the process of informing the victim’s family. There have been no arrests.

A witness said: “There were three of them in a grey or green Land Rover Discovery. Two jumped out and one started shooting repeatedly with a pistol at the boy.

"There were loads of shots.. eight or more, like they were making sure they finished the job. The shooter was wearing a blue surgical mask which covered his face.

"The two then jumped back in the Discovery and took off. I saw the sparks from the gun and the guy shooting. He just kept on shooting. It was a small-calibre gun from the sound of it, maybe that’s why they shot him so many times."

He added: “Armed police arrived, they tried to save the boy but he was gone. It was horrible I can’t believe what I saw, all in front of people at the wake.”

Police probe: A tent at the scene where a young man was gunned down (NIGEL HOWARD ©)
Police probe: A tent at the scene where a young man was gunned down (NIGEL HOWARD ©)

Another witness said: “There was a massive nine-nights for a young man who died recently. There was very loud music and hundreds of people at the wake which went into the early hours.

“Then I heard gunshots. There was a pause before the last shot. It was no way anything other than gunshots."

On Thursday forensic officers were seen inspecting a burned out Land Rover in St Raphael's estate, about a mile from the scene of the shooting.

A man who went to the wake but left before the shooting said: “I was on the way home from work and saw the wake and people I knew. Everyone was chatting and drinking, there were loads of people.

“I left before midnight I don’t know why it all kicked off. I am in total shock - I’m worried it could have been one of my friends who has been killed.”

Scotland Yard is concerned violence suppressed during lockdown could now spike after seven homicides in less than two weeks.

Today’s killing is the 67th homicide investigation opened by Scotland Yard this year, compared to 84 at this point in 2019.

A neighbour said: “We have had enough of this, the level of violence around here since the lockdown eased has been unacceptable. Just what is going on? We are terrified.”

This morning, a blue police tent was erected at the spot where the man was gunned down, outside a flat where the party was being held.

A large police cordon remained around the scene as detectives scoured for clues.

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference Cad 895/16Jul or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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