Man found dead in Sydenham ‘killed by bullet from his own gun’

BY JAMES TWOMEY
james@slpmedia.co.uk

A man has died from a gunshot wound in broad daylight after reports that the bullet he fired bounced back off a car window and hit him.

The 25-year-old was found bleeding at around 3.45pm in Sydenham Road, Sydenham, and was pronounced dead five minutes later.

It has been reported that the man was trying to shoot someone inside the car, but the bullet rebounded off the window and fatally struck the shooter.

A man who works in the Aizah Afro Hair and Beauty salon, two doors down from where the incident happened, said he heard a loud bang which he thought was a car accident at first.

He said: “I heard a bang and ran straight out of the shop and saw the body on the floor.

“There was a lot of blood and the man was jumping around on the ground before the police and ambulance came.

“They cordoned off the whole area and put a blue tent up where the body was.”

The Guardian reported a 56-year-old woman living in Venner Road. She said: “He came to shoot someone else, but he ended up shooting himself.

“The bullet bounced off a car window. The boy he came to shoot stood there filming him.”

No one else was injured during the incident. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard said: “One hypothesis is that the man unintentionally discharged a firearm resulting in his fatal injury.”

A Met statement said: “Police were called at 3.45pm on Sunday, September 8 to reports of suspicious activity on Sydenham Road, SE29.

“Officers attended. Shots were subsequently heard and firearms officers were also called to the scene along with the London Ambulance Service.

“A man in his 20s was found with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene at 3.50pm.

“One man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and remains in custody at a South London police station.

“Anyone with information about the incident can call 101 quoting CAD 4860/8Sept or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”