Four men arrested after boy, 15, shot dead at
'family fun day' in London
================================================

A murder investigation is under way after a
teenage boy was shot dead at a "family fun day"
event attended by more than 1,000 people in west
London.

Rene Graham, 15, was pronounced dead at the
scene in Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park, near
Ladbroke Grove, after being found with injuries,
the Metropolitan police said.

Officers were called at about 7.20pm on Sunday
to reports of a shooting and have since arrested
four men - two aged 21, one aged 20 and one who
is 25 - on suspicion of murder.

It is believed more than 1,000 people were
attending the annual Park Lime event, organised
by the Caribbean Music Association and billed as
a "family fun day" featuring live music, games
and face painting.

Det Ch Supt Christina Jessah said: "A young boy
has tragically lost his life and our thoughts
remain with his family and friends at this
devastating time. We will continue to provide
them with specialist support.

"This investigation is at an early stage and we
are keeping an open mind as to the motive. It
will take us some time to establish the facts
and this will be our priority in the coming
days.

"We are keen to speak to other witnesses who
were in the area at the time of the shooting.
There was an event taking place and it's
possible people may have been taking photos or
filming. Please check to see if you have
captured anything that may help detectives."

A crime scene remains in place. One bystander,
20, told the Evening Standard: "Everyone was
chilling, having a good time when I heard a
shot. A guy shot in the air ... Then everyone
scattered, we ran. When the crowd cleared he
shot the boy. He was on the ground.

"Everyone was running and taking cover, it was
mad."

Another bystander told the newspaper: "I heard
two bangs then the boy collapsed on the ground.
It looked like he had been hit in the chest.
There was sheer panic, everyone was running. The
next thing there were sirens and police
everywhere. It had been a nice event, no
problems, then carnage."

Father Damian Ryan, 43, a priest at a church
bordering the park, said: "It was a rammed park
and outside it was spilling over as well."

On hearing about the shooting, he said: "I
wasn't in complete shock if I'm completely
honest - heartbroken, utterly heartbroken, so
saddened and maybe a bit of misplaced anger.
Several months ago, there had been a murder ...
a couple of hundred yards away someone was
murdered.

"I've only been here two years, but other
parishioners, people in the community, are
saying this is not completely abnormal."

Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea council, said the
shooting was "absolutely horrific and just awful
for the family".

She said the council was doing "huge amounts" to
reduce violence in the area. "We have detached
outreach teams working with the young, we have a
huge amount of youth clubs, we have outstanding
social work - so we do absolutely everything we
can on our side as the council."

The MP for Kensington and Bayswater, Joe Powell,
described the attack as "horrific news". In a
statement posted on X, he wrote: "I'm aware of
the horrific news that a young boy has been shot
and killed in Golborne this evening - and my
thoughts are with his family. These senseless
acts of violence must stop."

A police cordon remained in place at the scene
on Monday morning where forensic officers were
seen searching the area and taking photographs.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or
'X' MetCC and quote CAD6343/21Jul or report
information anonymously to the independent
charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



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