Mother in emotional plea for witnesses after son dead: Don’t let his killers escape justice

A mother whose teenage son was shot dead after being ambushed outside a chicken shop made an emotional plea today for witnesses on the first anniversary of his “brutal” murder.

Ethan Nedd-Bruce’s mother Cherie Nedd said: “We have to put a stop to people thinking they can literally get away with murder. Lives have been shattered never to be repaired. This violence has to stop.”

Scotland Yard today issued new CCTV footage showing two suspects at the scene of the killing in Greenwich on October 22, 2018, and an image of a potential witness.

Ethan, 18, was chased by a group of youths on a motorbike and in a silver Ford Kuga car after being ambushed as he left the restaurant in Woolwich Road at 9.20pm.

He died after being shot outside Collins House, a mile away in Armitage Road, 10 minutes later.

Police initially thought Ethan had been stabbed but a post mortem gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound.

Ms Nedd said: “Please, as a mother I have lost my only son. My son was brutally murdered at the young age of just 18. This atrocity has had such a devastating impact on his father and I, his siblings, the extended family, friends and the community as a whole.

“I urge members of the public, bystanders, witnesses and the community to come forward with any information that you may have that can help this investigation.

“Our hearts are completely broken. Finding the murderers will not bring Ethan back, but it will help to give the family closure that we so deserve.”

Det Chief Insp Richard Leonard, leading the investigation, said the murder was linked to a number of incidents in the area between two criminal groups. Officers will return to the scene tonight to continue to appeal for information.

Mr Leonard said: “I believe the answer to who is responsible for this attack lies within the local community and I would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to my team.”

A 26-year-old man arrested in Hertfordshire on suspicion of murder last November has been released under investigation.

Anyone with information should call 0208 721 4622 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.