This is the first picture of a “deeply-loved” football fan who died after being hit by a car outside a court building in north west London, as police continue a murder probe.
Ruben Nunes, 34, from Peterborough, died in a multi-vehicle collision on Wednesday afternoon yards from Willesden Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Nunes was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of London Ambulance Service crews.
A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday remains in custody.
In a tribute released on Friday his family said: "Ruben was a family man - a son, a brother, an uncle, a father and a partner.
"He was true to his friends and cherished the people around him. He loved football and was a big Liverpool fan.
"Ruben had a light within him - he brightened the lives of everyone he touched. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and he will always be remembered as a truly blessed soul."
Detectives continue to investigate Mr Nunes’s death in Chapel Close as murder, saying: “This is a distressing incident and we understand the concern it will cause for the local community.”
In one video posted on social media, a smashed-up car could be seen surrounded by Metropolitan Police officers, paramedics and firefighters behind tape on Wednesday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses expressed their shock at the death, with one man saying: “Oh my days, bruv. Right by the court.”
Joe McPherson, 47, who was working nearby at the time of the crash, told Metro: “There was a bang, really loud, and the scraping of metal. It sounded like a nasty accident.
“There were quite a few people around because of the time of day and they scattered. Then the police came, loads of them, and I saw cars smashed into each other – it was proper carnage.”
A security guard at a local business said he grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran towards the smoking Mercedes after the impact as two suspects ran from the vehicle.
Police said they were called to a collision between a car and pedestrians on Chapel Close, Willesden at 12.44hrs on Wednesday, 3 December.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: ““Our thoughts are with Ruben’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“If you live nearby, you can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while officers carry out their investigation. This will include an increase of officers on patrol – please do speak to them if you have any worries or concerns.
“You can also speak directly to local ward officers.
“If you know what happened, or have dashcam or mobile phone footage of the incident, it is important that you please come forward and contact us.”
Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.
LAS said: “We were called at 12.41pm to reports of a road traffic collision at the junction of Chapel Close and Chantry Crescent, NW10.
“We sent resources to the scene including an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.
“Very sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact via 101, quoting CAD 3367/3Dec or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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