Man shot dead at East Acton memorial service in west London
Metropolitan Police launch a murder investigation after a gunman opened fire near a crowd of up to 50 people, including children.
A murder investigation is underway in west London after a 40-year-old man was shot dead on Friday evening while attending a memorial service.
The shooting took place in East Acton, at the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street, where between 40 and 50 people—including young children—had gathered to remember a loved one.
Emergency services were called to the residential street at 19:47 GMT after neighbours and witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. Metropolitan Police officers and paramedics arrived quickly, but despite their efforts to save him, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
No arrests have been made, and a large police cordon remains in place along Braybrook Street as forensic officers search for evidence. The victim’s family has been informed and is currently being supported by specialist officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, described the shooting as a "senseless act of violence" that has devastated a family during what should have been a peaceful time of remembrance.
"We believe between 40 and 50 people, including children, were present when this incident occurred," Howie said. "Someone knows what happened and we need them to come forward."
The area where the shooting occurred sits right next to Wormwood Scrubs, a large open space in west London. Investigators are focusing on the streets surrounding the park and a nearby children's playground.
Detectives are appealing to anyone who was around Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, or the Wormwood Scrubs playground between 18:00 and 20:00 GMT on Friday to think carefully about what they saw.
In particular, police are looking for information about anyone carrying or hiding weapons, people on bicycles acting suspiciously, or any vehicles being driven at high speed around the time of the shooting.
Howie also urged residents and drivers to check their doorbell cameras, dashcams, and mobile phones for any footage, or to report anything unusual they might have seen on social media.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to establish the official cause of death, though police have confirmed they are treating the death as a gunshot homicide.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Victim's age | 40 | Metropolitan Police |
| Estimated crowd size | 40 to 50 people | Metropolitan Police |
| Time of emergency call | 19:47 GMT | Metropolitan Police |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| East Acton | The west London area where the shooting occurred |
| Erconwald Street | The street intersecting Braybrook Street near the scene |
| Braybrook Street | The street where the shooting took place and where police set up a cordon |
| Metropolitan Police | The police force investigating the murder |
