Witnesses needed in ice rink shooting

9:37am Monday 5th February 2007

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Detectives are appealing to hundreds of teenagers who were at Streatham ice rink when a 16-year-old boy was shot dead to come forward with any information.

James Andre Smartt-Ford, of south-west London, was shot twice on Saturday at the ice rink in Streatham High Road.

Up to 350 people, aged between their late teens and early 20s, were attending a disco at the venue at the time.

Police say that James was shot near the entrance to the ice rink shortly before 11pm but managed to stagger inside before collapsing on the ice. He was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting but was pronounced dead.

Seven people - six youths and an 18-year-old man - have been arrested in connection with the shooting. All have been bailed to return to south London police stations at a later date.

Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson yesterday appealed for witnesses to the shooting to come forward.

He said: "We now know that shortly before 11pm James was in the area at the bottom of the stairs leading on to the ice.

"It is at this point that two to three shots were fired at him.

"Despite being fatally injured, James managed to stagger a few metres on to the ice, before collapsing."

He said that at this stage officers were keeping an open mind about the motive for the murder.

He added: "James' family are devastated, and understandably finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that their 16-year-old son, who went out to an ice-skating event, will no longer be coming home."

An incident room has been opened. Anyone who was at the ice rink on Saturday or may have information about the shooting should call the incident room on 020 8247 4554 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

• Were you at the ice rink or did you know James? Call Vikki Thomas on 020 8330 9532 or you can leave an online tribute here.