March 05, 2025
The 16-year-old boy tragically shot dead in Stockwell has been identified as Lathaniel Burrell, a “very bright” student. Police responded to reports of a shooting on Paradise Road on Tuesday afternoon. Despite paramedics' efforts, Lathaniel died at the scene.
On Wednesday, relatives laid flowers at the scene and confirmed his first name. A man, claiming to be his uncle, mentioned that the gunmen posed as delivery drivers, saying: “They came on a moped dressed as Deliveroo drivers.” The Metropolitan Police have not made any arrests yet.
Other family members described Lathaniel as a Manchester United fan who enjoyed playing PlayStation 5 and had a sister. A resident who knew his mother said Lathaniel was “very bright at school” and mentioned that his father worked at a nearby go-karting facility. She added, “He is great at looking after this community.”
The crime scene remains cordoned off, with several police cars and officers present. Another resident, who knew Lathaniel, expressed her distress, recalling that her own son had died in a stabbing a few years ago. A young woman living nearby commented on the area's safety at night, noting that teenage boys often cause trouble, including playing with fireworks and running from the police. She mentioned the lack of cameras in the area of the shooting and said the attackers had “no shame as well, there is a primary school next door.”
An older resident remarked that the area hasn't seen such violence since the 80s. Adrian Lindo, a 50-year-old local, expressed his condolences to the family and emphasized the importance of learning from past generations. Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, described the death as a “life wasted.”
