Met Police Return To Hackney Murder Scene

23 February 2013, 13:00 | Updated: 23 February 2013, 13:09

Police will return to a murder scene in Hackney tonight one week after a teenage university student was shot dead.

Joseph Burke-Monerville was fatally wounded as he sat in a car with his two brothers in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity.

He and his twin brother were in the back of the parked car when three shots were fired into it on Hindrey Road, Clapton, east London, last Saturday evening.

The 19-year-old, from Islington, north London, was rushed to hospital but died later, while his twin was uninjured.

Their older brother, sat in the front seat, was also shot. The 22-year-old has since been discharged from hospital.

Mr Burke-Monerville, who according to his Facebook page was studying forensic science at London Metropolitan University, and his brothers had no links to gangs, Scotland Yard said.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.

No arrests have been made but police said two suspects were seen running from the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Kenny McDonald, said: "A week has now passed since Joseph's tragic murder.

"Officers from Trident and Hackney borough will be in the Hindrey Road area over the weekend and will be appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward and speak to us.

"I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting and who may have seen what happened, or have witnessed the two men fleeing the scene, to contact officers.

"Whilst we continue to work to try and establish the motive for this murder, I firmly believe there are people in the community who have important information that will assist the investigation.

"I would like to emphasise Trident will treat any information received sensitively and in the utmost confidence."

Officers are still trying to find a motive for the shooting. One of the two suspects is black, police said, while the second is light-skinned, possibly of Asian or Turkish appearance.

They were seen running away from Hindrey Road after the shooting towards the nearby Pembury Estate.

Police are speaking to witnesses, checking CCTV and carrying out forensic examinations as part of their investigation.

Witnesses described how two men wearing bandanas walked into Hindrey Road at about 8.20pm last Saturday, then three gunshots were fired.

One witness, an 18-year-old who did not want to be named, said: "I was walking home from the shop when I saw a black man and a white man walking down the main road and turn into Hindrey Road. After about 30 seconds I heard three loud bangs. It's unnerved me a bit because my family live nearby."

The 70-year-old woman said: "I heard the shots - one, two, three. I was on the phone to my son and he told me not to dare look out the house.

"It's been a lot better around here recently. There hasn't been anything like this for many years.

Tributes poured into social networking sites as friends expressed their shock at the shooting.

Timothy Timi-Kehinde Gbadeyan, a friend of Mr Burke-Monerville, wrote on Facebook: "I always hear about gun crimes, never thought my brother will ever be a victim. RIP Joseph Burke-Monerville."

Michaela Georgiou Francis described the killing as "disgusting", adding that people like Joseph did not "live that life".

She added: "Such a wonderful loving young man. He was gonna do amazing things. His smile will charm the angels. Neva forgotten.x"

Witnesses to the shooting or anyone with information about the incident are asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.