Wood Green shooting: 19-year-old man dies after being shot outside London cinema

Victim described as 'loving, kind-hearted soul' after becoming first teenager killed by gun in capital this year

Metropolitan Police were called to Wood Green just after midnight on Thursday and found the young man suffering from a gunshot injury outside Vue cinema complex on Hollywood Green (Google Maps/screen grab)

A 19-year-old man has been shot dead outside a cinema in London, becoming the first teenager to die of gunshot wounds in the capital this year.

Armed police were sent to Wood Green, north London, following reports of a shooting in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound outside Vue cinema complex on Hollywood Green.

The teenager, who has not been named, was taken by paramedics to hospital, where he died a short time later.

His attackers are believed to have fled the scene by moped.

A witness told the Evening Standard: “I was near the entrance to the Tube station when I heard what I thought was fireworks.

”There weren’t many people around as it was late so there was no big reaction. I didn’t see anybody running away, just people looking toward where the sound came from.

“There was a guy shouting at paramedics to save him.”

The Metropolitan Police said it was called to reports of a shooting at 12.32am on Thursday. The force’s murder squad is investigating but no arrests have been made.

Detective Chief Inspector Luke Marks said: ”At this early stage, we’re trying to piece together exactly what has happened. However we believed two people made off on a moped shortly after the incident and this is one line of enquiry that we’re actively pursuing.”

A young person who knew the victim but did not want to be named told The Independent the teenager was a “loving, kind-hearted soul” and said his death was a “complete shock” to everyone who knew him.

The victim’s next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be held soon.

Mr Marks said: “We would urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information to come forward and speak to police as soon as possible.”