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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lydia Chantler-Hicks,John Dunne and Josh Salisbury

Erith murder: Police name victim of fatal shooting amid hunt for suspects’ getaway vehicle

Police have named the victim of a fatal shooting in south-east London as 24-year-old Kai McGingley, from Southwark.

A murder probe was launched after Mr McGingley was shot dead in Erith shortly before 9pm on Thursday night.

Officers on Friday evening said the suspects abandoned a silver Land Rover Freelander at the scene and are believed to have escaped in other vehicles, one of which is thought to have collision damage in its front end.

Witnesses had earlier told the Standard how a gang wearing balaclavas gunned the 24-year-old down after a car chase.

The victim was reportedly ambushed in Pembroke Road when his white mini clubman estate was rammed by attackers who surrounded his vehicle. They are understood to have then shot him twice.

Police found Mr McGingley a short distance away in Hillside, suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

A police cordon at the scene in Pembroke Road, Erith, London, after a man was fatally shot (PA)

Met Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood, said: “At this early stage I am very keen to hear from anyone who has any information about the events that took place in Pembroke Road, and in particular anyone that has any knowledge of a silver Land Rover Freelander GL52 HDO which was abandoned by the suspects following the murder.

“I believe that another vehicle or vehicles, that we haven’t yet identified, were then used to drive the suspects away from the scene. At least one of these vehicles is likely to be showing signs of front end collision damage.

“If you have noticed a recently damaged vehicle, owned by a friend or family member, seen one parked up or abandoned, or indeed been asked to repair one, please get in touch.”

Witness Audrey Alison told the Standard: “There were four of them in balaclavas. They had chased his car, smashed into him then shot him.

Forensics experts at the scene on Friday (ES)

“There were two shots - one after the other, quickly. It looked like a targeted hit.”

Another witness said: “I heard two loud bangs, I looked out and there was a group in balaclavas. They took off and the poor bloke was left there dying.”

Detectives were trawling for clues at the scene on Friday morning along with forensics teams. DCI Wood said Friday officers’ thoughts were with the family, who were “struggling to come to terms with their sudden and terrible loss”.

Road closures remained in place at the scene on Friday, while medical packs and a crime scene tent on a driveway marked the spot where paramedics battled to save his life.

Officers were also collecting CCTV footage from around the area and a cordon was in place.

Erith and Thamesmead MP Abena Oppong-Asare shared her grief on Twitter and urged anyone with information to contact police.

“Very sad to hear about the death of a man in Pembroke Rd #Erith tonight,” she wrote late on Thursday.

A police cordon at the scene in Pembroke Road, Erith, London (John Dunne/Evening Standard)

“I cannot imagine the grief that his family and friends will be feeling.”

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