Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information or footage to come forward following a fatal shooting in Ladbroke Grove.
A murder investigation has been launched after 15-year-old Rene Graham was killed in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park at around 19:20hrs on Sunday, 21st July. Four men, two aged 21 and the others aged 20 and 25 were arrested on suspicion of murder. They have since been bailed pending further enquiries. An earlier update, published in the early stages of the investigation, incorrectly stated that six people had been arrested.
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, who oversees policing for Kensington and Chelsea, 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.
The incident occurred at the annual Park Lime, a family-friendly event organised by the Caribbean Music Association (CMA). CMA is the official body for playing mobile music on the road at the London Notting Hill Carnival. Established over eleven years ago, Park Lime is one of several pre-Notting Hill carnival events.
On one of the hottest sunny days this summer, the event is in an area where many residents are of Caribbean heritage. This community extends around Harlesden Kilburn, Maida Vale Kensal Green, Paddington, etc. Blistering Heat saw many local and international performers appear on the main stage to an audience of people of all ages. Some brought picnic baskets and blankets, while others endured the long line to purchase food or browse the numerous arts and crafts stalls.
Shots were heard around 7:20 a.m., and there was a scuffle; it was not until the announcer asked the crowd to vacate the area to allow the air ambulance to land that the majority realised that something untoward was happening. The seriousness of the situation was only realised after seeing the large police presence, some armed, and the emergency vehicles’ blue lights, which filtered down to those of us in the middle of the park. The incident concerns the local community as we are weeks away from the local Panorama Steel band competition in the exact location.
What was intriguing was that there was no sense of panic as people made their way out of the park. By Sunday evening, social media had been awash with images and videos of the young black men who were arrested outside Hornimans Park. It was like the community had contained its inner rage and accepted these atrocities by young folk.
Many stallholders could not remove all their stock as the sudden incident didn’t allow them enough time. On Monday morning, a police cordon remained at the scene, and forensic officers were seen searching the area and taking photographs.
