Detectives have opened a murder investigation after a 40-year-old man was shot dead in front of dozens of people gathered for a street memorial service in west London on Friday evening.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street in East Acton at 7.47pm following reports of several gunshots. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended alongside police, but despite emergency medical treatment, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim's next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers. While detectives believe he died from a gunshot wound, a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out to establish the exact cause of death.

Police confirmed that between 40 and 50 people, including children, had gathered in the street for a memorial service when the gunfire took place.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the murder investigation, described the shooting as a "senseless act of violence" that has left a family devastated.

"We understand a large number of people had gathered for a memorial service and what should have been a time to come together in remembrance has instead left a family devastated," DCI Howie said. "We believe between 40 and 50 people, including children, were present when this incident occurred. Someone knows what happened and we need them to come forward."

No arrests have been made so far, and a crime scene remains in place on Braybrook Street while officers carry out local enquiries to establish what led to the shooting.

Investigators are focusing on tracing anyone who was around Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, surrounding roads, or the Wormwood Scrubs playground between 6pm and 8pm on Friday. DCI Howie urged anyone who saw suspicious individuals on bicycles, speeding vehicles, or anyone carrying concealed weapons to contact police, as well as anyone with dashcam, doorbell, mobile phone, or social media footage.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 7011/2Oct, report via the Met's major incident portal, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

I'll be following this investigation closely as detectives work to identify those responsible — check back for further updates as details emerge.