Imperial Way shooting: murder victim was attending a funeral

Anthony Morrison, the man shot dead on Imperial Way last week, had been attending a wake following a funeral, it has emerged.

The Metropolitan Police has repeated its appeal for witnesses following the shooting outside CostCo at around 5pm on Thursday, June 19.

The police have already made an arrest. Byron Cole, aged 39, of Gleneldon Road, Streatham, has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court earlier this week.

But last night the police issued a new appeal for witnesses to the events that led to the fatal shooting. Morrison received emergency treatment from paramedics, but was declared dead at the scene. He was 41.

His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Describing the arrest of Cole as marking “significant progress in the investigation”, Detective Chief Inspector Dan Whitten from the Specialist Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “It is vital that we further develop our understanding of what happened that day.

“We understand that Anthony was attending a wake at the time of the shooting, and we would implore anyone who was present in Imperial Way that evening, whether at the wake or otherwise, to contact us.

“Similarly we are keen to speak with anyone who attended a funeral service at New Testament Assembly in Tooting Bec or London Road Cemetery, Mitcham, earlier on Thursday, June 19 and might have seen the victim.

“We are determined to get justice for Anthony’s family and friends, and we would ask for the public’s help in doing that by speaking to us or, if they’d prefer, anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn, in charge of policing for Croydon, said: “I am very grateful to my Specialist Crime colleagues, who have worked tirelessly to investigate this matter professionally, securing charges. I’d now appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the team to help them with their investigation.

“I would like to reassure local communities and the wider public that firearm-enabled murders remain very rare in London.

“Our policing teams will continue to engage with communities across Croydon, providing extra support as required.”

Anyone who has video footage or any other relevant information is asked to contact the Met by visiting the Public Portal.

Alternatively, you can call 101 quoting CAD 6530/19Jun. To remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

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