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Witness appeal in ice rink murder | Witness appeal in ice rink murder |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Detectives have appealed to hundreds of young people who were at a crowded ice rink when a teenager was shot dead to get in contact with them. | Detectives have appealed to hundreds of young people who were at a crowded ice rink when a teenager was shot dead to get in contact with them. |
James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, was shot twice on Saturday night at Streatham Ice Arena in south-west London. | James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, was shot twice on Saturday night at Streatham Ice Arena in south-west London. |
Police said the shooting took place near to the venue entrance, but James managed to stagger onto the ice. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead. | Police said the shooting took place near to the venue entrance, but James managed to stagger onto the ice. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead. |
Six male youths and an 18-year-old man were arrested and bailed. | Six male youths and an 18-year-old man were arrested and bailed. |
Shots fired | Shots fired |
They will all return to a south London police station at a later date. | They will all return to a south London police station at a later date. |
Eyewitness John Fitzmaurice, of the Streatham Ice Hockey Club, said a large number of young people entered the rink shortly before the shooting. | Eyewitness John Fitzmaurice, of the Streatham Ice Hockey Club, said a large number of young people entered the rink shortly before the shooting. |
"Some young people obtained entrance to the rink then... a fairly large number of people came into the rink illegally through side entrances and proceeded to cause a disturbance. | "Some young people obtained entrance to the rink then... a fairly large number of people came into the rink illegally through side entrances and proceeded to cause a disturbance. |
"I gather some robbery took place then there was an affray and it resulted in a young male being shot." | "I gather some robbery took place then there was an affray and it resulted in a young male being shot." |
His family are devastated Det Supt Gary Richardson Tributes pour in after ice rink death | |
Police said James was approached at about 2300 GMT by a gunman who fired two or three shots. | Police said James was approached at about 2300 GMT by a gunman who fired two or three shots. |
"Despite being fatally injured, James managed to stagger a few metres onto the ice, before collapsing," said Det Supt Gary Richardson, of the Metropolitan Police. | "Despite being fatally injured, James managed to stagger a few metres onto the ice, before collapsing," said Det Supt Gary Richardson, of the Metropolitan Police. |
Mr Richardson said about 300 young people in their late teens and early 20s were at the rink when the shooting took place. | Mr Richardson said about 300 young people in their late teens and early 20s were at the rink when the shooting took place. |
He appealed for everyone who was at the ice rink disco to contact Operation Trident, the Scotland Yard unit that specialises in investigating black gun crime. | He appealed for everyone who was at the ice rink disco to contact Operation Trident, the Scotland Yard unit that specialises in investigating black gun crime. |
Mr Richardson said the disco was dark at the time of the shooting and security staff patrolled the area with torches. | Mr Richardson said the disco was dark at the time of the shooting and security staff patrolled the area with torches. |
Website tributes | Website tributes |
He said the victim's family were "devastated". | He said the victim's family were "devastated". |
"We are still trying to build up a picture of how James came to be here," he added. | "We are still trying to build up a picture of how James came to be here," he added. |
"Did the gunman target a gang of individuals, him on his own or indeed was it that he was not the intended target?" | "Did the gunman target a gang of individuals, him on his own or indeed was it that he was not the intended target?" |
Tributes to James have been left on the website gonetoosoon.co.uk including one from a "best mate" of Jessie James who was shot dead as he cycled through a Manchester park. | Tributes to James have been left on the website gonetoosoon.co.uk including one from a "best mate" of Jessie James who was shot dead as he cycled through a Manchester park. |
It read: "I feel for your family and can imagine what they must be feeling. I pray they catch your killer. We must put an end to guns, life is too precious." | It read: "I feel for your family and can imagine what they must be feeling. I pray they catch your killer. We must put an end to guns, life is too precious." |
Josef from London wrote: "He was the best friend and person I knew, always willing to help others and a inspiration for me. God bless you my friend." | Josef from London wrote: "He was the best friend and person I knew, always willing to help others and a inspiration for me. God bless you my friend." |