Mother who lost son to mistaken identity shooting speaks out as Met crack down on firearms offences

The mother of Tyrese Miller, who was shot dead on his way home from a pub last year, has spoken out after the Met announced a crackdown on firearms offences.

A team of specialist officers from across the Met are leading the fight against illegal firearms which has led to a record low in firearms offences in the last fifteen years across London.

On April 4, 2023, Tyrese Miller, 22, was fatally shot in the chest at close range in Croydon Road, Mitcham. He had been on his way home from an evening at the pub with friends in Croydon.

One man has since been convicted for manslaughter and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life after admitting to shooting Tyrese. 

Two other men were convicted for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. 

The court heard that Tyrese may have been the victim of mistaken identity, who was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Tyrese’s mother, Jackie Taylor, said: “I worry that if this can happen to Tyrese, it can happen to anyone.

“Once you met Tyrese, you never forgot him. He was loved. He was the centre of our family. He had friends everywhere. 

“For someone that lived such a short life, he meant an incredible amount to so many of us.

“No mother should have to bury their son like I have.”

According to the Met, Firearms offences in Lambeth and Southwark have dropped by 44 per cent in the last year – from 45 offences in 2022/23 to 25 in 2023/24.

Across the capital, 386 illegal firearms were seized last year – more than one a day. There has also been a sustained reduction in firearm related murders in the last three years – from 12 murders in 2021/22, to ten in 2022/23, and eight murders in 2023/24.

Met Commander Paul Brogden, who is responsible for specialist crime, said: “Guns destroy lives and communities. 

“We will continue to build trust in the communities disproportionately impacted by these offences and remain relentless in our pursuit of criminals that use and supply firearms.

“Our progress should serve as a message to criminals and gang members using firearms – we will come after you, and we will bring you to justice.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the Met’s campaign to tackle firearms had his “full support”.

Pictured top: Tyrese Miller, 22, who was fatally shot when he was on his way home from an evening at the pub with friends last year (Picture: The Met)