Harlesden shooting victim Oliver Tetlow was ‘an innocent bystander,’ say family

The family of a young man shot dead in a burst of submachine-gun fire today told of their anguish, saying “an innocent soul has been taken from us in a horrific way.”

Detectives believe Oliver Tetlow’s murder in a drive-by shooting in Harlesden was a tragic case of mistaken identity.

Reports circulating on social media hours before the shooting at 10pm on Wednesday warned that a feud between rappers over stolen jewellery was about to explode in bloodshed.

Mr Tetlow’s aunt, Kamilla Richards, 21, told the Standard: “He had nothing to do with it, he was an innocent bystander. The situation has nothing to do with him.

“It’s a feud in the area. Someone was looking for revenge and he was the only one around.

“Everyone else in the area knew about it and was staying away, but he’s not on social media. If he knew he wouldn’t have been out there. Obviously they saw he was the only black male on the road.”

Mr Tetlow, 27, suffered several gunshot wounds to his chest and stomach from an Uzi-style gun fired at close range by a man who got out of a blacked-out hatchback in Church Road.

He was left bleeding in the gutter as the car sped away towards Harlesden town centre.

Neighbours alerted by the sound of at least four rapid shots battled to resuscitate him before emergency services arrived but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother Pamela Humphrey arrived within minutes and was heard screaming “that’s my son”.

Mr Tetlow, who had two younger sisters, grew up in the Church Road area and had been a pupil at Queen’s Park Community School.

He had struggled in recent years and been sleeping rough and at friends’ houses as he tried to get his life on track.

Ms Richards added: “He was always such a sweet person. An innocent soul has been taken from us in such a horrific way. He was well-educated and he loved his family very much.

“He was a very important part of the family. He has a little sister who is ten years old and I had to break the news to her.

“We are all trying to come to terms with it. We are all lost for words. I don’t think anything could be worse than this. I don’t know how to deal with the situation. I wish things could be different.

“I never believed in a million years this would happen to a member of my family.

“He had a really hard life. He was trying to get his life back on track but he didn’t want to be a burden on anyone. What he wanted to do in the future we will never know now.”

Friends and relatives last night gathered at the spot where Mr Tetlow died to lay flowers and cards in his memory.

One tearful woman said: “He didn’t deserve this in any way shape or form. He was so lovely inside and out.

“He had his personal problems but he worked so hard to overcome them and I’m so proud of him for everything he achieved in the past few years.

“What upset me the most were all the rumours going round about him being part of a gang, but he was nothing to do with anything like that, absolutely nothing at all. He was a decent, hard-working guy.

“He was really getting his life together and it’s such a shock to know that just as he was sorting out his life, someone took it. He was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lawson, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “The investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for this senseless murder is moving at a very fast pace.

“At this very early stage in the investigation, we are exploring that the shooting was gang related, however I am satisfied that the victim was not the intended target and this was a tragic case of mistaken identity.

“Early indications are that shots were fired from an automatic weapon, although a firearm has not been recovered so we cannot speculate on the exact type.

“We are aware of information about the murder which is circulating via social media, and I would appeal to anyone who has information which could assist the investigation to call the incident room.”

A post-mortem examination was due to take place Northwick Hospital today.

Mr Tetlow’s family have set up a website to help raise £6,000 to cover the cost of his funeral.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0208 358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.