Schoolboy, 15, shot dead during family fun day at ‘Teletubbies Park’ is named after gunman ‘fired warning shot into air’
A 15-YEAR-OLD schoolboy shot dead during a “family fun day” at a busy west London park has been named by police.
Rene Graham was gunned down in Hornimans Pleasance Park – known locally as Teletubbies Park – at around 7.20pm on Sunday, said the Metropolitan Police.
Rene was understood to have been at Park Lime, an event planned by the Caribbean Music Association.
Posters for the event describe it as a “family fun day” with DJs, carnival stalls and food.
The annual pre-Notting Hill Carnival event promised face painting and games but warned no glass bottles were allowed.
Cops raced to the West London park after gunshots rang out in broad daylight but Rene was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Four men, two aged 21 and the others aged 20 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody at this time.
The force said it initially said six people were arrested but this was incorrect.
Those at the event have since spoken out of their horror after the schoolboy was gunned down in cold blood.
A pensioner told The Sun she saw a group of men running from the scene before hundreds of terrified men, women and children also sprinted from the park and down the road.
Fiona, who has lived in the area for 40 years, said: “There was at least four or five of them.
“I could see them just going past, running.
“I saw people all charge suddenly and coming down after the incident happened, people were all out here on their mobile phones recording stuff.
“There were so many people around yesterday for the music festival.”
Another local told of how everyone started fleeing the area after gunshots rung through.
The 20-year-old told the Standard: “Everyone was chilling having a good time when I heard a shot. A guy shot in the air as a warning, it looked like, so people would clear out of the way.
“Then everyone scattered, we ran. When the crowds cleared he shot the boy. He was on the ground. Everyone was running and taking cover, it was mad.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, who is in charge of policing for Kensington and Chelsea, said: “A young boy has tragically lost his life and our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this devastating time.
“We will continue to provide them with specialist support.
“I understand that the public, especially those who live and work in the area, will be shocked and concerned by this incident. All of us at the Met share that concern and we are using all of the resources at our disposal to identify those involved.
“This investigation is at an early stage and we are keeping an open mind as to the motive. It will take us some time to establish the facts and this will be our priority in the coming days.
“We are keen to speak to other witnesses who were in the area at the time of the shooting, there was an event taking place and it’s possible people may have been taking photos or filming. Please check to see if you have captured anything that may help detectives.
“Residents can expect to see a significant police presence in this area. Officers are there to provide reassurance and support – please speak to them if you have concerns.
“Tragic incidents like this remind us whey it is so important that we continue our unrelenting focus on suppressing violence and gun crime, and catching the offenders who endanger our communities.”
Elizabeth Campbell, the leader of Kensington and Chelsea council, said the shooting was “absolutely horrific and just awful for the family”.
Also, the MP for Kensington and Bayswater, Joe Powell, described the attack as “horrific news”.
