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.
9:37am Monday 5th February 2007
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CommentPosted by: Missica, Brixton on 9:21am Wed 7 Feb 07
[bold]R.I.P Dre even though we didnt speak 2 tuff i new hu u wer n u nu hu i was but wat happened should have never happened and my love goes out to ur family and every1 that loved u. N i hope ur family get justice and ur killer is found. R.I.P[/bold]
R.I.P Dre even though we didnt speak 2 tuff i new hu u wer n u nu hu i was but wat happened should have never happened and my love goes out to ur family and every1 that loved u. N i hope ur family get justice and ur killer is found. R.I.P Posted by: Chris, London on 1:26pm Wed 7 Feb 07
R.I.P My prayers are with your family, another black brother gone because of cowards.
R.I.P My prayers are with your family, another black brother gone because of cowards.
Posted by: anon f on 9:45pm Wed 7 Feb 07
This has got to STOP. Someone out there knows about this and needs to come forward. What is going on in this day and age and where the **** are these people getting all these guns?!
This has got to STOP. Someone out there knows about this and needs to come forward. What is going on in this day and age and where the **** are these people getting all these guns?!
Posted by: Tony, London on 5:55pm Thu 8 Feb 07
An everlasting tribute website and online book of condolence has been created by James's family on GoneTooSoon.co.uk You can add photos, music, leave a message or light a candle Please visit:
[bold]james-smarrt-ford.gonetoosoon.co.uk[/bold]
GoneTooSoon.org is a not for profit organisation which allows grieving relatives a place to set up their own free memorial page for lost loved ones.
An everlasting tribute website and online book of condolence has been created by James's family on GoneTooSoon.co.uk You can add photos, music, leave a message or light a candle Please visit:
james-smarrt-ford.gonetoosoon.co.uk
GoneTooSoon.org is a not for profit organisation which allows grieving relatives a place to set up their own free memorial page for lost loved ones.
Posted by: tinisha, battersea on 9:53am Thu 15 Feb 07
r.i.p. even doe i didn't knoe u but just showin some respesct you will never be forgooton by loved onesxxx.
r.i.p. even doe i didn't knoe u but just showin some respesct you will never be forgooton by loved onesxxx.
Posted by: Lul, London,Streatham on 11:28pm Mon 26 Mar 07
Bro Me And You Were Like Brothers I Knew U Since Long Time N I Cant Beloive Your Gone I Woz Only At Ur House 1 Day
Nuff Love Bro xxxxxxxxx
Bro Me And You Were Like Brothers I Knew U Since Long Time N I Cant Beloive Your Gone I Woz Only At Ur House 1 Day
Nuff Love Bro xxxxxxxxx
Posted by: MARIA, London,Fenwick Place on 11:31pm Mon 26 Mar 07
CANT BELIVE YOUR GONE BRO U WERE MA OLDER NOW WHERE U GONE U WERE MA BROTHER MEMBA WHEN I SED I WANTED 2 BE THE ELDEST NOT IN THIS WAY I LOVE U COME BACK 2 ME !!!! I LOVE UUUUUU U IN A GOOD PLACE
CANT BELIVE YOUR GONE BRO U WERE MA OLDER NOW WHERE U GONE U WERE MA BROTHER MEMBA WHEN I SED I WANTED 2 BE THE ELDEST NOT IN THIS WAY I LOVE U COME BACK 2 ME !!!! I LOVE UUUUUU U IN A GOOD PLACE
Posted by: lauren (girlfriend) on 3:48pm Mon 1 Oct 07
R.I.P BABY.love u soooooooooooo much an missing u like crazy.cant wait to see u again.
dre face an lauren face 2gether 4 ever. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxx
R.I.P BABY.love u soooooooooooo much an missing u like crazy.cant wait to see u again.
dre face an lauren face 2gether 4 ever. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxx
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