A man who was shot dead on his doorstep in front of his family may have had criminal links in Sweden and been killed in a targeted attack, police have said.

Flamur Beqiri, a Swedish national who had a wife and a young child, was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in Battersea Church Road, southwest London, at about 9pm on Christmas Eve.

The 36-year-old was shot “multiple times” by a lone suspect who fled the scene on foot, the Met Police have said.

In a statement, the force also said it was liaising with Swedish counterparts over possible links to criminality in the country.

Detective Inspector Jamie Stevenson said they had released details following “intense speculation around this tragic incident, including the victim’s background and past”.

He continued: “What I can say is that Flamur, who is of Swedish nationality and Albanian heritage, had been living in London for four or five years. He was returning home with his wife and child when he was approached by a lone suspect, who shot him multiple times before fleeing on foot.

“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.

“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.

“I would reiterate that we are in the very early days, and there is a lot of discussion that I will not comment on.

“What is most important now is getting justice for Flamur’s family.”

DI Stevenson said Mr Beqiri’s family had witnessed the “horrific attack” and are now “coming to terms with having their world turned upside down”.

An increased police presence at the scene has been scaled down, he said, with house-to-house inquiries in the area now completed.

However, CCTV inquiries are still ongoing and “work continues at pace”.

No arrests have been made. Police say they believe the assailant fled on foot in the direction of Battersea Bridge Road.

Officers are appealing for witnesses, including anyone who may have seen a person fleeing the area.

Neighbour Vittoria Amati, 60, said: “I was watching television when I heard this round of shots. One after the other, very quickly. There was between eight to 10 of them.

“I knew it was a shooting and I didn’t want to come out because I was scared it might not be safe.

“I then heard the screams of the wife. I came out and realised it was one of my neighbours. He was lying in front of his doorway in a pool of blood.

“He was still alive. We were really hoping he would make it. You have no idea how desperate she [his wife] sounded.”

.According to media reports, Mr Beqiri is the brother of former Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Misse Beqiri. He met his now wife at his sister’s wedding.

It is the 142nd homicide identified by the PA news agency in London in 2019 – the highest number in a calendar year since 2008.

Last year there were 141 police-recorded homicides in the capital.

Anyone with information can confidentially call 101 and quote CAD 6410/24Dec, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Source: Read Full Article