Tributes to Hackney Student Joseph Burke-Monerville Shot Dead on London's 'Murder Mile'

A 19-year-old university student has been shot dead on London's 'murder mile' while sitting in a parked car.

Joseph Burke-Monerville was shot in Hindrey Road in Clapton on Saturday and died in hospital a few hours later.

A 22-year-old man alongside Burke-Monerville in the car was also shot, and he remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. A third man in the car was unharmed.

The area in which Burke-Monerville was killed became known as murder mile in the early 2000s because of its high rates of gun and drug-related crimes. Eight men were killed there over two years.

Police said neither Burke-Monerville nor the 22-year-old had links with gangs. A post mortem will take place at Poplar Mortuary today.

Police are appealing for witnesses after two suspects were seen running from the scene.

The first man is black and the second is light-skinned - Scotland Yard said he is possibly Asian or Turkish.

Both were seen running away on foot towards the nearby Pembury Estate.

Detective chief inspector Kenny McDonald said: "Our early inquiries suggest that Joseph and those he was in the car with have no links to gangs. We continue to work to try and establish the motive for this murder.

"I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting and may have seen the incident, or two males fleeing the scene, to contact officers."

Burke-Monerville started his forensic science degree at London Metropolitan University last September. He was due to go on holiday with friends to Magaluf this week - posting on his Facebook page, he said he was going for a "week 'off' stress".

Since his death, friends and relatives have paid tribute to the teenager on social networks.

His brother Timothy Timi-Kehinde Gbadeyan said: "We did everything together even already planned some holidays together! Ahh still so shocked. RIP Joseph Burke-Monerville If only tears could bring you back."

His twin brother Jay, who also studies at London Metropolitan University, added: "Devastating, 19-year-old twin brother gone and 32-year-old big brother crying and blaming himself for what he couldn't change! Don't know my mood at all."

Friend Joel Santana called Burke-Monerville a "truly good person" who was "always smiling and making others laugh".

On Twitter, his nephew Josh Monerville urged people to come forward with information: "If anyone has any information about what happened in Clapton yesterday please tell me. Rip uncz joseph x"

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