14-year-old boy killed in shooting near pub named by police

A 14-year-old boy shot dead in south-east London has been named as Eghosa Ogbebor.

Two boys, aged 14 and 16, and an 18-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the shooting in Lord Warwick Street, Woolwich, at about 3.40pm on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Sofia Pereira, 33, who works at The Greyhound, close to where the incident occurred, said at the time of the shooting she heard someone fall on one of the bins on the pub’s patio.

Ms Pereira said she then saw a teenager run through the patio towards Woolwich Church Street.

She said: “I was inside when obviously, everything happened.

“But I just heard like a big ‘bang’, like a big, strong ‘boom’, which was obviously one of the kids, I think, jumping on the wall, through the bin, and then obviously the bin fell and broke, then he just run off.”

She added: “It was a lovely day yesterday, a few people were outside.

“And obviously everyone got scared because they heard shooting and they could see one of the guys had a machete, or something like that.

“So everyone just ran inside, said ‘lock, lock all the doors and everything’, because obviously we didn’t know what was going on.”

Ms Pereira said about 10 customers who were on the patio ran inside “panicking”, adding the atmosphere in the pub was “very overwhelming”.

An 18-year-old girl who lives on Lord Warwick Street, and did not want to be named, said the shooting was “definitely shocking”, adding “it feels a bit unreal” walking around the neighbourhood on Friday.

She told the Press Association: “I heard like a ‘pop’, yeah, but that’s it. My dad heard a bit more but I didn’t hear much.”

She added: “A shooting is surprising, but there has been quite a lot going on around this area, down there, the past couple of years.

“But a shooting was definitely shocking.”

Abdul Jan, 29, who lives in the area and owns a fish and chip shop in Greenwich said it was “very surprising” to hear of a shooting in the neighbourhood.

He said: “I mean, I don’t think it’s a safe area, but it’s one thing when you hear of a stabbing, this happens a lot, it’s another thing when you hear about a shooting.”

The area surrounding the street where the shooting took place was cordoned off on Friday, with a dozen police officers at the scene.

A bunch of flowers was laid at the end of Lord Warwick Street.

Forensic officers appeared to be searching a patch of grass along the street.

The Met had said in an earlier press release that the victim was a man, but later confirmed he was 14-year-old Eghosa.

Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card said: “Our thoughts remain with Eghosa’s family and loved ones. They are being supported by specially trained officers and have asked for privacy at this difficult time.

“I know the concern this has caused within Woolwich and the wider community, particularly considering Eghosa’s young age.

“We have an increased police presence around the area.

“While we have made three arrests, our investigation continues and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward and speak to officers.”

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said: “My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Woolwich following the appalling fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy.

“There is absolutely no place for this heartbreaking violence.

“I remain in close contact with the Met, who have been working around the clock. Arrests have already been made and an investigation is under way.

“Residents will see an increase in police in the local area.”