Man shot dead during west London memorial service as police open murder inquiry

The Metropolitan police have launched a murder investigation after a 40-year-old man was shot dead during a memorial service in west London. Police were called at 7.47pm on Friday after multiple shots were heard in East Acton. Officers attended the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street with paramedics from the London ambulance service.

The victim was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead. The Metropolitan police said he was believed to have suffered a gunshot wound. A postmortem examination is due to take place to establish the cause of death.

About 40 to 50 people, including children, were present at the memorial service, according to the force. The victim’s family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers. Detective chief inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, described the killing as a “senseless act of violence”.

He said an event intended as a time of remembrance had instead left a family devastated. Police are asking anyone who was in the area between 6pm and 8pm to contact investigators. The appeal covers Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, nearby roads and Wormwood Scrubs playground.

The force is particularly seeking information about anyone carrying or concealing weapons, people on bicycles behaving suspiciously or vehicles being driven at speed. Officers also want photographs, video, dashcam, doorbell or mobile phone footage, as well as relevant material posted on social media. Howie said someone knows what happened and urged them to come forward.