heaven above
August 31st, 2004, 05:33 PM
Murder at the carnival
By Rebecca Mowling, Evening Standard And Oliver Finegold
31 August 2004
The Notting Hill Carnival ended in violence after a man was shot dead
at point-blank range outside a Tube station.
Look here too!
• 20-strong steaming gang bring terror to travellers
• Biggest party is still fabulous at forty
• Gallery: Notting Hill Carnival
Witnesses said crowds scattered as "three huge bangs" were heard just
100 yards from Kensal Green rail and Tube station in north London.
Terrified party-goers who had been dancing in the street were left
screaming as they fled the scene of the shooting, which is on the
edge of the Carnival celebrations in West London.
One witness said: "Everyone was just partying, having a good time,
dancing in the streets. The guy was right in the middle of the party
and this bloke just came up to him and shot him at pointblank range."
The gunman, thought to be in his 40s, opened fire after a dispute
during a party on a green opposite the station on Harrow Road. The
argument then continued along the street to Hazel Road.
Another man said: "It was chaos. All of a sudden everyone started
pushing and screaming, no one knew what was going on."
Police were called after reports that a man was seriously injured
after being shot. The victim, in his 20s, suffered a single fatal
wound.
Paramedics took the victim, who has not been identified, to the
Central Middlesex Hospital but doctors there were unable to save him.
He was pronounced dead 45 minutes later. Detectives from the Carnival
Major Incident Team are investigating the shooting with officers from
Operation Trident, which deals with black-on-black shootings.
More than 750,000 attended the carnivalover the bank holiday to mark
its 40th anniversary.
There were a total of 114 arrests over the two days, one of the
lowest number of arrests in recent years.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve House said: "We have officers
dealing with a death outside of the Carnival area after the event had
closed.
"It is inevitable that this tragic event will cast a shadow over the
Carnival.
"However, thousands of people attended what was an otherwise highly
enjoyable celebration of vibrant costumes, music and dancing and all
parties agreed that this was an extremely good natured event."
? A total of 28 arrests stemming from police intelligence were made
earlier in the day.
A gang of 60 youths, many armed with knives and body armour, were
stopped at 2.45pm on their way to the carnival at Mile End Tube
station. Eight of the gang were arrested, with more knives found on
the streets where the gang was searched.
Chief Inspector Wayne Mawson of the Metropolitan Police said: "The
most worrying aspect of this group was that they were wearing body
armour, indicating they intended to do something quite serious.
Thankfully this was averted by good police intelligence."
Three other men were arrested later in the afternoon in Belgravia,
one on suspicion of possessing a firearm.
Officers believe they were making their way to the Carnival.
By Rebecca Mowling, Evening Standard And Oliver Finegold
31 August 2004
The Notting Hill Carnival ended in violence after a man was shot dead
at point-blank range outside a Tube station.
Look here too!
• 20-strong steaming gang bring terror to travellers
• Biggest party is still fabulous at forty
• Gallery: Notting Hill Carnival
Witnesses said crowds scattered as "three huge bangs" were heard just
100 yards from Kensal Green rail and Tube station in north London.
Terrified party-goers who had been dancing in the street were left
screaming as they fled the scene of the shooting, which is on the
edge of the Carnival celebrations in West London.
One witness said: "Everyone was just partying, having a good time,
dancing in the streets. The guy was right in the middle of the party
and this bloke just came up to him and shot him at pointblank range."
The gunman, thought to be in his 40s, opened fire after a dispute
during a party on a green opposite the station on Harrow Road. The
argument then continued along the street to Hazel Road.
Another man said: "It was chaos. All of a sudden everyone started
pushing and screaming, no one knew what was going on."
Police were called after reports that a man was seriously injured
after being shot. The victim, in his 20s, suffered a single fatal
wound.
Paramedics took the victim, who has not been identified, to the
Central Middlesex Hospital but doctors there were unable to save him.
He was pronounced dead 45 minutes later. Detectives from the Carnival
Major Incident Team are investigating the shooting with officers from
Operation Trident, which deals with black-on-black shootings.
More than 750,000 attended the carnivalover the bank holiday to mark
its 40th anniversary.
There were a total of 114 arrests over the two days, one of the
lowest number of arrests in recent years.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve House said: "We have officers
dealing with a death outside of the Carnival area after the event had
closed.
"It is inevitable that this tragic event will cast a shadow over the
Carnival.
"However, thousands of people attended what was an otherwise highly
enjoyable celebration of vibrant costumes, music and dancing and all
parties agreed that this was an extremely good natured event."
? A total of 28 arrests stemming from police intelligence were made
earlier in the day.
A gang of 60 youths, many armed with knives and body armour, were
stopped at 2.45pm on their way to the carnival at Mile End Tube
station. Eight of the gang were arrested, with more knives found on
the streets where the gang was searched.
Chief Inspector Wayne Mawson of the Metropolitan Police said: "The
most worrying aspect of this group was that they were wearing body
armour, indicating they intended to do something quite serious.
Thankfully this was averted by good police intelligence."
Three other men were arrested later in the afternoon in Belgravia,
one on suspicion of possessing a firearm.
Officers believe they were making their way to the Carnival.