Murder victim Trevor Ellis pic: Metropolitan Police

A seventh man has been arrested in the investigation into the murder of Trevor Ellis, who was killed in Croydon during the riots in August last year.

The 21-year-old man was arrested on March 13 and taken into custody at a South London police station. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Ellis, 26, of Brixton Hill, was killed after him and a group of friends were involved in an altercation with another group of around nine people on August 8 2011.

This led to a pursuit involving three vehicles, which ended in Duppas Hill Road, where Ellis was found in a car with a gunshot wound to his head. He was taken to hospital and was pronounced dead on August 9.

Six men have since been arrested on suspicion of the murder. Five have been bailed to return to South London police stations pending further enquiries. One was released with no further action.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hutchison from the Met’s Operation Trident said: “Trevor Ellis was murdered on a night where Croydon, and in fact London, saw unprecedented levels of violence and disorder.

“I believe his killers were actively involved in looting and responsible for robbing at least two people that night. They thought nothing of arming themselves with a gun and ultimately taking a young man’s life leaving four young children without a father.

“I want anyone who was in central Croydon that night who saw this group or may have images of them on their cameras or phones to come forward.”

Detectives are also appealing for anyone who witnessed the pursuit, which began in Scarbrook Road and involved a dark-coloured estate car and silver hatchback – believed to have been driven by the group of nine – and a dark-coloured hatchback, in which Ellis was a passenger.

Anyone with information relating to any aspect of the incident is asked to call the incident room on 020 8247 4553; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.