Horror in leafy London suburb as man in his 20s is shot dead

A man in his 20s was shot dead in a leafy London suburb in the early hours of this morning, leaving his family ‘devastated’.

Armed police were called to a residential road in North Cheam, South West London, at about 1.10am today after the victim was found with a gunshot wound.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.45am and Scotland Yard detectives have now launched a murder investigation, with forensic officers seen on the road today.

Officers who arrived at the scene had given the man first aid, and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance also attended.

His family have been informed but he has not yet been formally identified following the incident, which was London’s 53rd murder of the year so far.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard said: ‘We are in the very early stages of our investigation and at this time need to hear from residents or people who were walking or driving through Brocks Drive around the time of the incident.

‘Did you see anyone acting suspiciously? No matter how insignificant it may seem, you could have crucial information.

‘A man has lost his life in violent circumstances and his family have been devastated.  They need and deserve answers and the community can help us provide them. 

‘If you have information, video or images that could help us, please contact us immediately.’

No arrests have been made and a crime scene remains in place on the road, which has an average house price of £420,000.

It is the third murder probe in London in a week, after a woman in her 50s died in hospital on Tuesday from her injuries after being stabbed in Lewisham on June 10.

And last Saturday, a 48-year-old man was stabbed to death at a property in Hornsey, North London. On Monday, Marian Anghel, 42, was charged with his murder.

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference Cad 414/19Jun, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111