An aspiring rapper killed in an ambush outside his home in the early hours of this morning has been called a 'local hero' who was looked up to by many children
Fernando Johnson was 'set upon by two men' as he left his BMW in Acton, London, as police rushed to the scene at around 2.15am.
The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
A friend and fan of Mr Johnson's music has paid tribute to him and remembered at the rapper stopped to speak to them when they were celebrating their exam results last summer.
He said: "We saw Fernando in his car. He was playing his music and Central Cee.
"We started singing along and he rolled down the window and said 'Stay off the streets, the streets are not good'. 'Stick to school and keep grinding'. I just kept it in my head.
"It's now our obligation to do what he said. I took it for granted at the time but now we have to reflect."
He told MyLondon: "He was an inspiration to me 100 per cent. A lot of young people look up to him. After this, it will bring the whole community together. We need to make something better of this situation, the whole of West London.
"I have friends who look up to him, he was a local hero.
"He was just a person you could talk to, he was friendly. He would approach you and talk to you and make you feel welcome. When my friends said he died I thought they were lying.
"Something you need in your life has gone. Now everything feels dark and sad. I just want to try hard and listen to what he said. I do not think he realised how much of an inspiration he was to people.
"When I met him he's not like other people. I did not feel intimidated. If you look at him you think he's scary but he talked a lot about his struggles as well.
"He's made me think about things in a different way. Even if they do not know him people will come and pay their respects."
Police cordons remain in place at the scene and the BMW can be seen under a blue tent on the residential street.
A cousin of Fernando, whose rapper name was Fdot, said: "He lived on the road where he was stabbed.
“Two people jumped him and knifed him as her got out of his car.
"He had just popped out. It’s a tragedy - we are all devastated.
"He was such a lovely person who will be sadly missed. This isn’t gang-related, as far as we know. He was doing so well with his music and going places.
"He was going to be a big name. He was so positive and a lovely person. He had two brothers. No one can believe it.”
A family statement issued by the cousin said: “He was greatly loved by family and friends and well known to the community he always had a smile on his face and greeted everyone with a big smile and hug. He was a loving family man. He wanted the world to hear his story through his music. He was passionate about achieving his ambitions.
“He was a talented footballer and played for QPR as a youngster. He was very polite and brilliant with people of all ages. It’s a great loss to the family and community, we will make sure his memory lives on. His mother, father, grandmother and two elder brothers are devastated like all of us. He was the apple of their eye.”
The Met Police has said they do not know if he has been stabbed or shot dead but a post mortem will be held in due course.
A spokeswoman said: "A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Acton. Police were called at approximately 2.15am on Thursday, January 26 to reports of a man injured in Rosebank Way, W3.
"Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s, suffering a significant injury. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he died at the scene.
"A crime scene remains in place at the location. Work is ongoing to identify and inform next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course."
No arrests have been made in connection with the case.
