Ladbroke Grove: 15-year-old boy shot dead in park named Rene Graham

A boy shot dead in a west London park has been identified as Rene Graham, 15.

Emergency services were called to Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park in Ladbroke Grove at around 7.20pm BST on Sunday.

Local residents said a pre-carnival event involving children was taking place at the time.

Four men, two aged 21 and the others aged 20 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.

“No other injuries have been reported,” the Metropolitan Police said.

Detective Superintendent Christina Jessah said: “I understand that the public, particularly those living and working in the area, are shocked and concerned by this incident.

“We all share this concern at the Met and we are using all the resources at our disposal to identify those involved.”

Residents in the neighborhood said they felt “shock, disbelief and fear,” especially among parents, some of whom said they would take “extra precautions” as a result.

Cristina Cortinas, 40, who lives in the area, told BBC London the shooting was a “tragedy” and “really sad for the community”.

“A young boy lost his life,” she said.

“I have two young children. I’m afraid for them, I’m afraid for their future, I’m afraid for them who live in this community.

“We are a very close-knit community and we are all very sad.”

Elizabeth Campbell, leader of the Conservative Party in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, said she could not “begin to imagine what family and friends are going through”.

“Many people are understandably concerned about this terribly violent incident in our neighborhood,” she added.

“I am pleased to hear from our police teams that there will be a very visible police presence in the coming days.”

The council said the park, Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance, would likely remain closed all day.

Around 20 officers have been deployed around the crime scene and the forensic team is continuing its investigations.

Joe Powell, MP for Kensington and Bayswater, described the shooting as “terrible news”.

He posted on X“My thoughts are with his family. These senseless acts of violence must stop.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I am heartbroken by the devastating news that a 15-year-old has lost his life needlessly in Ladbroke Grove.

“I remain in regular contact with the Metropolitan Police who are working around the clock to investigate this horrific incident.”

Police said residents can expect to see a “significant police presence” in the area to provide “comfort and support.”

In London, fatal shootings are far less common than knife attacks, although there have been six homicides involving firearms so far this year, including three in the past six weeks.

But a number of high-profile cases, including a shooting in Dalston in May in which a nine-year-old girl was left fighting for her life, have sparked widespread public concern.

The young age of the victim in this latest shooting, believed to be just 15, and reports that he was attacked while a children’s pre-carnival event was taking place nearby, have also raised concerns about the safety of young people as schools close for the summer.

The Metropolitan Police had previously said six men had been arrested, but that figure was later corrected to four arrests.