Detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in east London after a man in his 40s was found with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on St Bartholomew’s Road, Newham.
What happened
Officers were called at about 3am on Tuesday, 18 August, to reports of gunshots on St Bartholomew’s Road. A man in his 40s was discovered inside a car and was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, the Metropolitan Police said.
A crime scene remained in place on Tuesday morning as detectives worked to establish the full circumstances. No arrests have been made so far.
Scene and immediate police activity
Police cordoned off the entirety of St Bartholomew’s Road and adjacent parts of Central Park Road. Multiple police vehicles were visible on the street, including three police vans and three forensic services vans parked at the Barking Road end of St Bartholomew’s Road.
A police evidence tent was erected behind a white Toyota Prius, which had collided with a black Range Rover. The white car showed damage to its front left wheel.
- Forensics teams in blue suits were seen entering and exiting the evidence tent;
- Plain-clothed officers carried out door-to-door enquiries on neighbouring streets;
- Residents were kept away while officers gathered evidence and witness statements.
“Just past 3am my car alarm went off. My daughter heard the car alarm go off and she heard the shots, like a bomb. She heard the impact of two vehicles. And I heard people running off,”
The quote was given to the Press Association by Abdul Qadir, director of nearby estate agent ARQ Homes, who said his black Range Rover had been involved in the collision with the Toyota Prius.
An unnamed neighbour told reporters: “Around 3am or 4am I heard a crash and then a car alarm going on, and then it went off.” He said he looked outside about an hour later.
Timeline of known events
| Time (approx.) | Event |
|---|---|
| ~3:00am, 18 August | Reports of gunshots on St Bartholomew’s Road; car collision heard by residents |
| Shortly after 3:00am | Officers called to scene; man in his 40s found in vehicle with gunshot wounds |
| Early morning, 18 August | Police cordon established; forensic examination and door-to-door enquiries under way |
Local reaction and context
Residents described a loud disturbance in the early hours and expressed alarm at another violent episode on a residential street. Abdul Qadir, whose vehicle was damaged in the collision, said this was not the first time his car had been hit; he said he did not go out to investigate at the time because such incidents have happened in the area before.
The combination of a shooting and a collision in a residential area has heightened concern. Officers from the Met’s homicide command and local units were visible across the scene, conducting careful forensics and speaking with potential witnesses.
What police say and next steps
The Metropolitan Police confirmed a murder investigation has been launched. Specialist officers are supporting the victim’s family. Detectives will continue to carry out forensic examinations, review CCTV, analyse vehicle damage and interview witnesses to establish the sequence of events leading to the man’s death.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage, is asked to contact police. Local officers were conducting targeted appeals and working through canvassing statements from nearby homes.
Practical information for residents
- Expect continued police presence and possible road closures in the immediate area while enquiries continue;
- If you have information, contact the Metropolitan Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously;
- Residents with private CCTV, dashcam or Ring-style footage from around 3am on 18 August should check and preserve any recordings.
The investigation remains live and residents in Newham are being urged to come forward with any information that may assist detectives. Local reporters will follow developments as police progress their enquiries.
Location: St Bartholomew’s Road, Newham, east London.
