Detectives have named and pictured a young bus driver who was fatally shot in his car in an alleged ‘ride-by’ in southwest London.
Auguste-Marie Bile-aka Amoa, 25, died after he was attacked by a rider who ambushed him near a packed pub in Clapham on Monday night.
The suspect, 22, also suffered a wound and is in hospital. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Staff in a local shop on Landor Road near the murder scene told the alleged gunman had staggered in wearing a motorcycle helmet and bought a drink at 9.57pm just seconds after the alleged attack.
He then went to hospital and was arrested and remains under police guard.
Detectives are working at pace to establish the full circumstances of the incident, with urgent enquiries ongoing.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire Guiver, who is leading the investigation, said following identification: ‘Our thoughts remain with Bile-aka’s family as they come to terms with this tragic incident.
‘We continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
‘If you were in the area at the time of the shooting, witnessed anything suspicious or have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage that could assist our investigation, we urge you to get in touch.
‘Any piece of information could prove vital in helping us piece together the full circumstances.’
Tributes have been paid to Bile-aka, with one family member describing him as ‘a great person’.
They said: ‘We are shattered by this. We heard he was dropping his girlfriend off.
‘He was a good guy, a great person. I don’t know what else to say.’
Bile-aka had worked as a volunteer at a local school mentoring young people, a staff member said today.
They added: ‘He was a lovely kid; he had played around the area when he was young and wanted to give something back.
‘He was a lovely guy, great with the kids who would look up to him.’
Friends have described how the bus driver ‘was in the wrong place at the wrong time’.
A family member at the crime scene said: ‘They got the wrong boy’, while a close friend described him as an ‘amazing human being.’
She told : ‘He was an amazing person and a best friend. He loved driving, so bus driver was the perfect job. He was living his dream.
‘I have a daughter, and he would buy her gifts and was such a kind man.
‘He loved music and dancing; he was just wonderful. I heard about the shooting yesterday, and I know he is in that area.
‘I texted him and got nothing back, then I found out the news. I’m heartbroken.’
Floral tributes have been laid at the scene.
Detectives are trawling through CCTV footage from the area.
Witnesses heard up to five shots and reported seeing a flare in the alleged attack.
understands the alleged gunman suffered an injury inflicted by his own gun.
A source told us that Bile-aka, known to his friends as Billy, had been a gang affiliate years ago but had ‘turned his life around.’
They said: ‘In his past he had been connected to a gang, but that was a long time ago. He totally turned his life around and got a job as a bus driver.
‘He was not involved in any gang activity at all. He was just a hard-working, good man.’
Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information is encouraged to contact police on 101 quoting reference 8379/10AUG.
Information can also be provided anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
MORE: The ‘sweet spot’ commuter town between London and Cambridge with houses £284,000 cheaper
MORE: Smoke seen across London and part of A13 road closed after fire breaks out