Mother of man shot dead speaks out about “worst pain ever” on the second anniversary of his death

A mother has spoken out about the pain of losing her son after he was gunned down in the street, on the second anniversary of his death.

Ethan Nedd-Bruce was “caught in the wrong place at the wrong time” in October 2018 when he was chased by a group of men on a motorbike and in a Ford Kuga car from Woolwich Road, in Greenwich, to Collins House in Armitage Road, where he was shot in the back and killed.

Now the Metropolitan police have released footage of someone they believe to be a key witness and are offering a reward of £20,000 to anyone with information about the killing.

Ethan’s mother Cherie said the reward and the footage makes her feel one step closer to finding out what happened.

“Someone knows something,” said Cherie. “It’s a close-knit community. I just want to see justice and get the closure I need to move on.

“I have an eight-year-old daughter. Ethan was her world. This hit her hard. For her we need to be able to move on and finding the answer will help that process. Having hope that they will find them is what has gotten me through the last two years. I am living for my daughter.”

Speaking about the night Ethan was killed, Cherie said: “It was complete shock. It still feels quite surreal. To imagine that happening to your child is the worst pain ever.

“He was very intelligent and an avid reader. He was good at athletics. One of those people who was good at everything they touched. He had such a passion for life. He would want me to continue living mine.

Cherie added: “It’s important people come forward with any information no matter how small. We can’t protect people like this and no one is safe with these people out on the streets.

Detectives believe Ethan’s murder was a targeted attack linked to a number of other incidents in the area between two criminal groups but officers are confident that the organised crime gang has since been largely dismantled.

CCTV footage shows his attackers arriving in Woolwich Road, apparently clear in the knowledge that Ethan was inside the restaurant.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard said: “It is now two years since Ethan was murdered but we have not given up. We know Ethan was attacked as he left a chicken restaurant in Woolwich Road at around 21:20hrs that evening.

“We have an image which shows someone we believe could be a key witness; a white male with a beard holding a mobile phone. We believe he walked past the chicken shop where Ethan was shortly before the first attack.

“This person – who I want to stress is not a suspect – may well have seen something that could assist with our investigation and I would urge him to make contact with officers.

“We are also releasing footage showing the two vehicles Ethan’s attackers used that evening. One is a motorbike with a rider and pillion passenger; the other is a silver Ford Kuga with a number of occupants.

“Both these vehicles were in Woolwich Road at the time of the first altercation and then pursued Ethan into Armitage Road.”

Police are looking for this man who might be a key witness

DCI Leonard added: “It’s not too late to do the right thing.

“Someone out there knows who did this,” he said. “It is not too late to do the right thing and speak to us about what you know. Help bring some closure to Ethan’s family who have been left utterly heartbroken by his death.

“Whatever the motive in this case, Ethan did not deserve to be pursued and attacked in this brutal and shocking manner.

“I believe the answer to who is responsible for this attack lies within the local community and I would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to my team or, if you are apprehensive about speaking to officers, then through the independent charity Crimestoppers which is 100% anonymous.

“Ethan’s death has left his family in pieces and they can only begin to heal once those responsible have been convicted. Please, do the right thing.”

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 0208 721 4622 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.