A 45-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds at the junction of Stoke Newington High Street and Dynevor Road soon after midnight today (August 5).
He died at the scene. Both roads remain closed with a large crime scene in place.
Paul Orris was staying near the shooting. He said: “It was between 11 and 12 – there were probably three shots and a minute later I heard police sirens.
“It is a shorter, cleaner sound for a gunshot. I was in bed and went and looked out the window.
LIVE updates as major road closed in Stoke Newington after man shot dead
“When you hear that you hang around for screams but when it’s silent…”
A second resident was woken by the sound of gunshots “similar to a car backfiring”.
A murder investigation has been launched and a police tent is visible outside homes on Dyvenor Road.
Many expressed surprise by the incident in what they call a safe, community-oriented area.
Roger Singh, who has lived in Dynevor Road for 20 years, said: “It is a bit shocking as I have young kids. They go to the school round the corner.
“It’s not normally like this round here.”
Liza Dodds said: “My husband told me there had been a shooting and I looked out the window and it was terrible – the policeman was giving CPR to someone for a very long time.
Man, 45, shot dead in Stoke Newington with murder investigation launched
“When someone’s doing CPR, and you watch them, it feels like a very long time because you know this is keeping them alive. So felt like it was an hour, but probably not.
She added: “It’s very strange because it’s so nice here. I mean, these houses cost a million pounds, becoming very gentrified, very bourgeois with rich bankers and lawyers.
“But this is still Hackney. It’s never ending.
“It has got nothing to do with the community that lives here.”
She added: “Anyone of us could have gone out to the shops and been shot at accidentally.
“That’s the terrible thing, isn’t it? For God’s sake, children live here.
“It’s just terrible. But it has got nothing to do with this community.”
Others agreed that while Hackney has seen an influx of wealthier people, crime is still an issue.
Jane Stanley has lived in the borough her whole life.
She said: “It [crime scenes] are normal. All my life I have lived in Hackney but in the last 15 years it’s got really bad.
“It’s happening every week. If it isn’t a shooting it’s a stabbing. It doesn’t worry me because I keep myself to myself.
“I worry for my grandkids. And being an ethnic minority because it is always them clashing – it is not good.
‘Avoid’ area warning as Stoke Newington High Street closed after man, 45, shot dead
“More needs to be done to keep the kids off the streets. They need to put more police on the streets.”
People are being advised to avoid the area as a crime scene remains in place.
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing for the area, said: “Our team of detectives and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to the tragic death of this man.
“We understand this incident will cause concern within the Stoke Newington community, however we do believe this to be an isolated incident at this stage of the investigation with no wider risk to the general public.
“Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area, along with a crime scene, as we carry out our enquiries.
“We thank them for their patience and co-operation at this time.
“We urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that could assist us, to come forward as soon as possible.”
A London Ambulance Service spokespeople said: “We were called at 12.18am today (5 August) to reports of a shooting at the junction of Stoke Newington High Street and Dynevor Road, Hackney.
“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic, a paramedic from our tactical response unit and an incident response officer.
“We also dispatched a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance, which consisted of a paramedic and a doctor in car.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.”
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 00:18 on Tuesday, 5 August to Dynevor Road, N16 to reports of gunshots.
“Officers arrived and found a man, aged 45, with gunshot injuries. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
“Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 108/5AUG. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
