‘I am begging you’: Family make impassioned appeal for information about 17-year-old’s killer

‘Nothing can bring him back and we are still seeking justice for him’
Rhyhiem Ainsworth
Met POlice
Bill McLoughlin5 May 2023
WEST END FINAL

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The family of a 17-year-old who was shot and killed five years ago have issued an impassioned appeal for information to find his killer.

Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton died after a drive-by shooting on May 5, 2018 in Kennington.

Five years on from his murder, his mother appealed for witnesses to help police find her son’s killer.

His mother said: “We have endured five years without Rhyhiem and our family has been broken by his death. Nothing can bring him back and we are still seeking justice for him.

“My son died needlessly and I pray that no other family has to go through the pain of losing a child in such a way.

“I am begging you to please, if you know anything about Rhyhiem’s death, come forward and speak to either the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

At the time of the shooting, Rhyhiem had been standing with a group of friends on the corner of John Ruskin and Camberwell New Road.

Shortly after 6.05pm, police were called to reports of gunshots on Cooks Road in Kennington.

While no witnesses have since come forward, the Met believes the suspects used a grey BMW Series 2 Gran Tourer with the false registration of WT17 CFK to leave the scene.

The car, which had the actual registration of BP17 YVV, had been stolen in Essex on December 23, 2017.

Two people, aged 17 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of murder in June 2018 but were later released under investigation.

“With the passing of five years I am hoping that any witnesses, or those with any knowledge about Rhyhiem’s murder, may now feel that they can come forward and tell us who was responsible,” Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn.

“I’m sure that people know who fired that fatal shot. Please give us the information we need to convict the people who killed your friend.”

Anyone with information can speak to officers direct on 0208 721 4005, call 101 or Tweet @MetCC. To remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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