Police cordon at the crime scene Photo: Tine Hvidsten
The Metropolitan Police have named the 21-year-old man found murdered in Ludwick Mews on the Woodpecker estate in New Cross on Monday night. He was Nathan Allen from nearby Desmond Street.
The police say a post-mortem examination found he died from a gunshot wound to the chest. Mr Allen was known to his friends and family as Mace.
Emergency services were called to the garden of a house in the Mews just after 9 pm on Monday, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.41 pm with reports of a gunshot wound to the head. The Met Police opened an incident room under Detective Chief Inspector Gordon Allison from the Trident unit, which specialises in gun crime.
DCI Allison said:
“We would like to hear from anyone who may have information in relation to this murder or who may have seen anything at the time. Trident is working closely with local borough police and the local community to ensure we follow every lead to identify the suspects in this crime.”
The murder inquiry team advise that anyone with information that could assist them should call the incident room on 020 8247 4554. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
On Tuesday morning, a large area surrounding the crime scene was cornered off by police. This attack was the second shooting to take place in the residential cul-de-sac in less than a year.
In July of last year, 24-year-old Nathan Williams was shot dead in his car on the same road.
No-one has been charged with his killing. A 25-year-old man questioned by detectives was released from bail last Tuesday.
A third murder was committed in Ludwick Mews four years ago when Jason Gayle-Bent, 29, was stabbed to death outside his home.
We dont have to live like this, people dying all the time, whether they are involved in the gang madness or not, life is precious and we need to remember this, God-forbid, if it were our family we would come forward with the suspects, but because it isnt, then why do we not help other families, if it means that a life is not in vain? I know i’d say something, life isnt a game!
I live in Ludwick Mews. I’ve heard the shots ring out on 2 occasions. I’ve heard the screams of loved ones who have been given the news that their love ones are no longer with us. I live with the knowledge that I have to walk past the positions that these young people lost their lives.
I’ve also seen the extent of the police [initial] investigation and it is no wonder that no one has ‘YET’ been brought to justice for any of the murders that have happened here. I feel for the families who grieve day by day with-out closure and I feel the anxiety of knowing that I walk amongst murders. I’m angry at the youth who show no restraint and I’m angry at the Police who show [in my opinion] very little desire to bring these men’s killers to justice.
In my opinion the last 4 year has shown that it is a great time to be a criminal. As a criminal you can do what you want and no-one will come and find you. The lives that these criminals lead show disregard to the victims, the victims’ families and the many people who now live day by day with the horrors of their actions.
I didn’t know any of the 3 special people whose lives were cut short in such tragic circumstances, yet I feel an affiliation to each and every one of them. I want to offer my condolences to all the families and urge all parties to push for justice by making sure that the attitudes of the investigators who are dealing with their cases do not mimic the females officer mentioned earlier.
Be strong for your loved ones.