Harlesden shooting: Deadly drive-by attack was ‘tragic case of mistaken identity’, police say

A police forensic team at the site of the shooting last night
Nigel Howard
Sebastian Mann10 March 2016
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Detectives investigating the drive-by shooting of a man in north-west London have confirmed they believe the killing was a “tragic case of mistaken identity”.

The victim in his 20s, named locally as Oliver, was gunned down in the street in Harlesden just before 10pm on Wednesday night.

Witnesses reported hearing the rapid fire of an automatic weapon, apparently an Uzi-style machine gun.

No arrests have been made and on Thursday evening Scotland Yard renewed an appeal for information that could help their inquiry.

Victim: The man in his 20s has been named locally as Oliver
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DCI Mark Lawson, said: "The investigation to identify and arrest the person [or persons] responsible for this senseless murder is moving at a very fast pace, and I would like to thank everyone who has so far come forward and spoken to the police."

"At this very early stage in the investigation, we are exploring that the shooting was gang related, however I am satisfied that the victim was not the intended target and this was a tragic case of mistaken identity."

"Early indications are that shots were fired from an automatic weapon, although a firearm has not been recovered so we cannot speculate on the exact type."

He added officers understood that a man exited a “dark-coloured vehicle” before firing on the young man. The car was then driven off from the scene of the shooting towards Harlesden town centre.

Scotland Yard’s appeal came as floral tributes were left at the junction of Church Road and Conley Road, where the shooting took place.

Tributes: Flowers have been left at the scene of the shooting

A note attached to one read: “Oliver you will be truly missed.”

Passers-by had tried to revive him before paramedics arrived at the scene and pronounced the young man dead from multiple gunshots to his chest and stomach.

Witness Vinod Patel, 48, who lives nearby, said: “I was relaxing watching TV when I heard about six shots like a machine gun.

“I went outside and saw people running towards him. He’d been shot in the chest and stomach but was still breathing.”

Shooting: The scene in Harlesden today
Jeremy Selwyn

A man, who lives yards from the scene, said: “I heard the noise, it sounded like more than just one gunshot.

“I flew downstairs the body was on the floor. The mother was here within 15 minutes. She was shouting ‘that’s my son’.

“She was crying and collapsed in the street.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0208 358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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