Flamur Beqiri: Family of man shot on Christmas Eve ‘in shock’ after witnessing Battersea killing

‘To have so much sadness at this time of the year is heartbreaking’

Flamur Beqiri was fatally shot outside his London home (Facebook)

The family of a man fatally shot in front of his wife and young child on Christmas Eve have spoken of their heartbreak.

Flamur Beqiri, a music producer, was killed just metres from his Battersea home after an evening out with his family, in what police say may have been an act of retribution linked to possible criminality in his native Sweden.

A neighbour, Vittoria Amati, 60, described hearing “eight to 10” gunshots followed by a woman’s “desperate” screams at around 9pm and, after rushing to help, finding Beqiri, 36, still alive in the doorway of his home. Shortly after, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, his family spoke of their “shock and grief”, saying: “To have so much sadness at this time of the year is heartbreaking.

“We thank everyone for their kind thoughts and condolences. We would kindly ask that you respect our privacy and let us grieve in peace.”

Beqiri, who is also of Albanian heritage, is the brother of reality TV star Misse Beqiri, who appeared in the Real Housewives of Cheshire.

He had been living in London for at least four years when he was ambushed by a lone suspect, who fled on foot.

No arrests have yet been made, the Metropolitan Police said, but extensive house-to-house enquiries have been completed and reviews of CCTV footage are ongoing.

“Flamur’s family, his wife and very young child, bore witness to this horrific attack and are coming to terms with having their world turned upside down,” said Det Insp Jamie Stevenson. I ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.

He addressed “intense speculation” over Beqiri’s background and past, saying: “We believe Flamur may possibly have been involved in some criminality in Sweden, and are in liaison with our Swedish counterparts to try to understand what, if any, incidents there may have been that might have led to someone seeking retribution against Flamur in the UK.

“Work is ongoing to determine what the possible motive could be, and while we retain an open mind, we are considering that this is a targeted attack.

“While I am mindful of concerns from the local community, we do not believe at this stage that there is any ongoing risk to members of the public.​”

He urged anyone with information to contact the police, adding: “What is most important now is getting justice for Flamur’s family.”

Additional reporting by agencies