A man has been shot dead in East Acton, west London, in what the Metropolitan Police has described as a “senseless act of violence” that unfolded while dozens of people were gathered for a memorial service. Police were called to the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street at 19:47 GMT on Friday after members of the public reported hearing multiple shots.
Officers arrived alongside the London Ambulance Service, but the man, aged 40, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of medics. He is believed to have sustained a gunshot wound, though a post-mortem examination has been scheduled to formally establish the cause of death.
What the police have said
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie is leading the investigation. He said officers believe between 40 and 50 people, including children, were present when the shooting occurred, and that someone present knows what happened.
The appeal covers a wide area and a two-hour window. Anyone who was around Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, the surrounding roads or the Wormwood Scrubs playground between 18:00 and 20:00 is being asked to think carefully about what they saw, specifically anyone carrying or concealing weapons, people on bicycles acting suspiciously, or vehicles being driven at speed.
Police are also keen to hear from anyone with photographs, video, dashcam, doorbell or mobile phone footage, or who has seen anything relevant on social media. No arrests have been made and a cordon remains in place on Braybrook Street.
A tragedy in the middle of a gathering
What makes this case stand out is the setting. A memorial service is meant to be an occasion for gathering and remembrance, and instead it turned into a scene of violence and grief. The Met said the victim’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
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Why it matters
Cases involving multiple shooters or shots fired in public remain a persistent concern for UK policing, particularly as the festive period approaches. The Met has increased deployments across London in response to a number of high-profile fatal shootings in crowded public places, and this incident puts fresh pressure on that response.
For residents of East Acton, the shooting also raises immediate questions about what security measures will surround the memorial gathering the family had originally planned, and for how long the cordon on Braybrook Street remains in force.
What happens next
The murder investigation continues and police have appealed directly to witnesses. Detectives will work through any dashcam and doorbell footage submitted from the surrounding streets, which police often describe as decisive in the early stages of a shooting inquiry.
The post-mortem will confirm the cause of death. Police have not named any further lines of enquiry, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Met. The public is also urged to call the Crimestoppers charity line anonymously if they have information that would assist the inquiry.
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