A 15-year-old boy has been shot dead in his home, Scotland Yard has confirmed.
A 15-year-old boy has been shot dead in his home, Scotland Yard has confirmed.
The youth was found by a relative at the property in the Fenwick Place area of Clapham North at 1540 GMT on Wednesday afternoon.
The youth was found by a relative at the property in the Fenwick Place area of Clapham North at 1540 GMT on Wednesday afternoon.
It is the third fatal shooting of a teenager in south London in less than two weeks.
It is the third fatal shooting of a teenager in south London in less than two weeks.
Forensic teams were carrying out a search of the house in Clapham North and a post-mortem examination will be carried out on Thursday.
Forensic teams were carrying out a search of the house in Clapham North and a post-mortem examination will be carried out on Thursday.
The victim has not yet been formally identified, although his parents are understood to have been informed.
The victim has not yet been formally identified, although his parents are understood to have been informed.
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Ian Blair, has called an emergency meeting with senior staff on Thursday to discuss the recent shootings in south London.
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Ian Blair, has called an emergency meeting with senior staff on Thursday to discuss the recent shootings in south London.
Michael Dosunmu, 15, was shot dead in the bedroom of his Peckham home on 6 February.
Michael Dosunmu, 15, was shot dead in the bedroom of his Peckham home on 6 February.
Police believe he was a victim of mistaken identity.
Police believe he was a victim of mistaken identity.
Operation Trident
Operation Trident
Three days earlier, 16-year-old James Andre Smartt-Ford died after he was shot at Streatham Ice Arena.
Three days earlier, 16-year-old James Andre Smartt-Ford died after he was shot at Streatham Ice Arena.
Neighbours of the boy shot in Clapham North said they were shocked.
Neighbours of the boy shot in Clapham North said they were shocked.
Christina Piludu said: "I know he was a good boy. He always respected all of us.
Christina Piludu said: "I know he was a good boy. He always respected all of us.
"He was always in the square playing with his bike, talking with the other children, just normal."
"He was always in the square playing with his bike, talking with the other children, just normal."
In a statement Scotland Yard said: "As is routine, links with recent murders in south London will be investigated but we must retain an open mind as to any potential motive.
In a statement Scotland Yard said: "As is routine, links with recent murders in south London will be investigated but we must retain an open mind as to any potential motive.
"We would like to reassure the communities in south London that we are taking the current situation very seriously and are doing everything in our power to find those responsible."
"We would like to reassure the communities in south London that we are taking the current situation very seriously and are doing everything in our power to find those responsible."
Police are keeping an open mind as to the motive
Police are keeping an open mind as to the motive
Damien Hockney, from the Metropolitan Police Authority, added: "The community needs to feel that there is tough policing on the ground.
Damian Hockney, from the Metropolitan Police Authority, added: "The community needs to feel that there is tough policing on the ground.
"They also need though to feel there is some sort of engagement with the community and above all... with younger people and those... young black men who are caught up in this gun crime."
"They also need though to feel there is some sort of engagement with the community and above all... with younger people and those... young black men who are caught up in this gun crime."
On Thursday, Sir Ian is scheduled to meet officers from the Met's Specialist Crime Directorate, which includes Operation Trident, a unit tasked with investigating gun crime in the black community.
On Thursday, Sir Ian is scheduled to meet officers from the Met's Specialist Crime Directorate, which includes Operation Trident, a unit tasked with investigating gun crime in the black community.
The investigation is being handed over to Operation Trident, whose vice chair, Claudia Webbe, told BBC News that gun crime was "devastating London's streets".
The investigation is being handed over to Operation Trident, whose vice chair, Claudia Webbe, told BBC News that gun crime was "devastating London's streets".
"What we really do need to deal with is the prevention in the first place, long before that bullet has been fired, she said.
"What we really do need to deal with is the prevention in the first place, long before that bullet has been fired, she said.
"Far too many of our young people know where, how and whom to get a gun from and that is worrying."
"Far too many of our young people know where, how and whom to get a gun from and that is worrying."
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Have you been affected by gun crime? If you have anything you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. Your messages will not be published.
