Tests due on body of shot teenager

A post mortem examination will be carried out today on a teenage boy who was shot dead after two balaclava-clad gunmen opened fire on a group of four young friends.

The 16-year-old victim, named locally as Samuel Adelagun, was killed in the early hours of yesterday morning on Chesterton Road, Plaistow, east London.

A second boy, 15, was also shot and is in a stable condition in hospital.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the group aged 15 and 16 were attacked from behind by the gunmen at around 3.20am.

Samuel was shot in the upper left chest, while the 15-year-old was blasted in the abdomen.

No arrests have yet been made. Next of kin have been informed.

The only description of the gunmen is that they were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas. It is not known if they travelled in a vehicle or were on foot.

The group of friends ran away during the attack before meeting back on Chesterton Road where they called the police. Approximately four shots were fired.

Detectives from the Met's Trident unit, which tackles gun related crime within the black community, are investigating the death.

Wendy Barrett, 42, of Chesterton Road, said: "I'm absolutely devastated, I can't imagine what his mother must be feeling this morning. I have two children of my own and it makes you think you don't want them to go out."

Her husband Dean, 40, added: "This is not the best area to live in. There is nothing for children to do, they go around in gangs."

Annie Smith, 77, of Howards Road, backing on to the parkland, said: "I heard two males shouting then I went back to sleep. Then I heard three or four bangs. I thought it could be fireworks but it may have been shots.

"I then heard somebody shouting and someone answer faintly. They are just kids, why were they out so late?"

Floral tributes, including seven bunches of white roses, were laid at the foot of the police cordon taping off the scene.

One read: "To Sammy, one of the realist young bucks. Gone but never forgotten. 100% love. Liam."

Another read: "RIP Sammy. Realist soldier. GBNEF."

A female friend at the scene said: "He was just a lovely guy, he had amazing dimples and a smile that would make you melt."

Det Ch Insp John Mackenzie said: "A number of shots were discharged and the youths dispersed

"They then got together again outside Chesterton Road.

"They knocked up an occupants' house who provided some shelter as good Samaritans.

"In there unfortunately one of the youths died and one was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen."

He said both victims were known to the police and one of the lines of inquiry was that the incident was gang related.

He added: "Shooting incidents are still rather rare in London. We are working with the community and asking the community to help us to come together to solve this."

Referring to the deceased's family, he said: "The mother is very distraught as you would expect.

"It is a traumatic and violent way for a loved one to go."