Teen shot near Tube was 'lovely, beautiful boy'

Sixteen-year-old Lathaniel Burrell, who was shot in south London on Tuesday afternoon, has been described by his uncle as a "lovely, beautiful boy".

Lathaniel, who died near Stockwell Tube station, was killed by a man dressed as a food delivery driver on a moped, an eyewitness told the BBC.

The witness said two boys came down the stairs of a block of flats when the moped rider took out a gun and fired, adding that the teenager was well known in the area and involved in gangs.

But Lathaniel's uncle Smikie told BBC London his nephew had not been involved in gangs, describing this claim as a "misconception" and saying that people are "too quick to label".

Police said no arrests had been made and that detectives were keeping an open mind about the motive for the attack.

Smikie told BBC London that his nephew was "loved by all his peers".

"He grew up around here, he was well known around here. He was always smiling, he had that warm, infectious smile and it's just been wiped away."

"I was numb, I am still numb," Smikie said.

Lathaniel's uncle, who works in youth services, said the lack of youth centres was a problem.

"This is just an example of what can happen, and is going to happen again. There is no community. Where can the young people go? If you're 15,16, where can you go around here? Nothing."

He added: "I was just across the road talking to a parent about their side of the estate and the trouble their young people are in, whilst this was happening on my doorstep."

This is the third homicide in the capital this year of someone aged under 25.

Smikie said the mayor of London and the police needed to have more of a presence.

He added that young people needed to be given more responsibility and take an active role in their community, which could reduce crime on the estates.

On Wednesday, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: "My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Stockwell following the shocking fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy.

"This abhorrent violence has absolutely no place in our city. I am in close contact with police leaders – an investigation is under way to find those responsible, and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area."

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