Oliver Tetlow killing: Mother’s emotional plea a year after son gunned down in Harlesden street

Gunned down: Oliver Tetlow was shot dead in March last year
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The mother of a man shot dead with a machine gun in a case of mistaken identity has begged witnesses to the killing to come forward.

Oliver Tetlow was killed in a drive-by shooting in Harlesden a year ago today when a man fired a spray of bullets before jumping into a black coloured vehicle which sped away from the scene.

The 27-year-old died at the scene from gunshot wounds.

His mother, Pamela Humphrey, has issued a heartfelt plea to those who may have information about the person or people responsible for killing her son, as a £10,000 reward was offered by Crimestoppers.

Describing the murder as “senseless” and “tragic”, she said: "We have lived through a terrible year of grief and sadness, having a talented young man with so much to look forward to in life torn from us.

"Every day I miss my son, my family miss him, Oliver's friends miss him, every day we think of him, every day we all grieve for him. Our pain goes on.

"Despite all the efforts by the police, CPS and courts, so far no convictions have been made. We continue to pray that justice will be done and although it will never lessen the loss we feel, it will bring some small comfort to relieve our suffering, our pain, our grieving.

Renewed appeal: Mr Tetlow's mother has renewed an appeal for witnesses
Metropolitan Police

"Please, please help us. Some witnesses have already come forward and we admire them all for their courage. Those who haven't felt able to come forward before, please help yourself; release yourself from the terrible burden you carry.

"With love and hope in our hearts, in memory of our forever loved and always remembered Oliver."

Her plea came as detectives revealed they are on the trail of the deadly Skorpion machine gun involved in the killing after it was smuggled down from Manchester for use in the attack.

Detectives believe the that the firearm was returned back to Manchester on the night of the shooting.

Officers say the weapon fetches between £4,000 and £5,000 on the black market and criminals would have been reluctant to dispose of the weapon.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lawson, who is investigating the murder, said: "In the days after the murder the firearm used to kill Oliver would have no doubt been passed on to someone to hide or to keep safe and there is a possibility that this gun has exchanged hands since.

Members of the public battled to save Mr Tetlow but he was pronounced dead at the scene
Nigel Howard

"It is of paramount importance first and foremost that this weapon is taken off the streets and secondly I would like to appeal to anyone who knows who the gun was handed to or knows where it is now to come forward and speak to us. "

He added that detectives were engaged in a joint operation with another force on an "active line of inquiry" about the weapon's location.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene of the shooting in Church Road at the junction with Conley Road shortly before 10am.

After the shooting the vehicle travelled south along Church Street, towards Harlesden town centre.

Oliver was shot by someone firing from an automatic weapon, although police are unable to confirm the exact type.

Neither the vehicle nor the weapon has been recovered.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lawson, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "The brutal killing of Oliver last March has left his mother and wider family completely devastated and their grief has been compounded by the fact that even after a year they are no closer to getting the answers they so desperately seek.

"Oliver had simply been going about his business on the night of his murder when he was targeted and gunned down in what we still believe was a case of mistaken identity.

“A young man has tragically lost his life and it is only right that we remain resolute in our efforts to convict those responsible.”

A number of people were arrested in connection with murder of which four were charged with murder. In December 2016 and early January 2017 the four men who stood trial for Oliver's murder were acquitted of the offence.

In addition to the renewed appeal, a reward of £10,000 is being offered by the independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and successful conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200 or via Twitter @MetCC

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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