Police offer £20,000 in hunt for gunman who shot teenager Amaan Shakoor dead last year in Walthamstow

Amaan Shakoor, 16, was shot dead in Walthamstow last year
Justin Davenport1 April 2019
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The family of a teenager shot dead in a suspected gang attack in north London today issued an emotional plea for help to catch his killers as Scotland Yard issued a £20,000 reward for information.

Amaan Shakoor, 16, was standing outside Walthamstow Leisure Centre on April 2 last year when he was approached by two hooded men and shot in the face. He died from his injuries in hospital.

His murder came on a shocking night of violence in London and occurred half an hour after youth mentor Tanesha Melbourne, 17, was shot dead in a drive-by attack three miles away in Tottenham.

Today the 16-year-old’s father, Mohammed Shakoor, speaking for the family, said: “We have been handed life sentences due to the senseless murder of our beloved child. Amaan was still a child, he came from a good family and raised with endless amounts of love and affection.

“He had a stable family and good home. He was an innocent victim of a despicable and brutal crime.”

The scene where Amaan Shakoor was shot dead in April
Stefan Rousseau/PA

Mr Shakoor, a welfare reform officer for Waltham Forest council, added: “Our family will only gain some peace when the murderers of our beloved Amaan are serving a life sentence. Anyone who knows anything about what happened, however small please contact the police either directly or indirectly via Crimestoppers.”

Detective Inspector Darren Jones, of the homicide squad, said: “We believe Amaan was the victim of a targeted attack, with the chief suspects being two teenage males.

“Amaan was on the brink of an exciting time of his life and was a member of a close knit, loving family.

“It is our understanding that Amaan was on the periphery of activity linked to gangs, and we believe his death may be linked to this.

We believe the key to solving his murder is held by those he may have had links with through gang activity, whether this was directly, or indirectly.”

He added: “I understand people may be concerned about coming forward, but please be reassured that there are measures we can take to protect and support you.”

DI Jones said the Met was today announcing a £20,000 for reward for information that leads to a conviction.

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8345 1570 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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