Family’s tribute to teenage student shot dead in gang ambush
Coalition to oppose Heathrow expansion
CAMPAIGNERS against Heathrow expansion today launched a new coalition. Some 18 local groups joined forces in the No Third Runway Coalition, which will lead efforts to lobby MPs, councils and officials.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, hailed it as “a breakthrough moment” for the battle to limit noise and air pollution. Tania Mathias, Tory MP for Twickenham, said: “Every community affected is concerned about the increase in noise and air pollution and the financial costs for all taxpayers.”
Among the groups joining forces are Stop Heathrow Expansion, HACAN, Teddington Action Group and Brentford-based BASH Runway 3. Co-ordinator Robert Barnstone said the campaign was funded by individuals and green groups and had no money from rival airports. Last year the Government backed Heathrow expansion, subject to public consultation. THE FAMILY of a teenage student gunned down as he cycled through an east London estate today told of their devastation.
David Adegbite, 18, was ambushed by a gang who surrounded him in a car park in Barking before shooting him in the head. The former Havering College student, known as Dutch, was attacked on the St Ann’s estate shortly after 7pm on Sunday as children played nearby.
Friends today described him as a “loving, family boy” who was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
An 18-year-old who gave her name as Mary said: “He was such a smart guy, really clever and good at maths, he was due to start university.
“He was no gangster or drug dealer, he was a good family guy. He always talked about how much he loved his mother and wanted to make her proud.
“He was popular with everyone. I just can’t believe there are people out there in London with guns, you expect it in America but not here.”
Speaking outside Mr Adegbite’s home in Dagenham, a relative said the family were “very, very devastated”.
Friends lay flowers near the scene of the shooting which spelled out his nickname Dutch. One said: “He was not aggressive at all. He was just funny. He was a good footballer at school and was always well liked. He didn’t appear to have any enemies, he was a peaceable sort of guy. He was very cool.”
Another said: “He was a good friend and a good guy. We were planning to go to university together and he was going to do ICT (information and communications technology). He was a bright, happy person, this does not make any sense to any of us.”
The teenager went to Dagenham Park school before attending Havering College where his friends said he did well in his A-levels. He was visiting friends when he was killed and had previously lived on the estate. Two men, both aged 20, have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Police said enquiries were continuing.
One witness said: “There were two shots, it was so loud. There were children playing and everyone dived for cover. It was frightening. We just wanted to make sure the kids were all okay.”
Local police officers, firearms officers and paramedics found the 18-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to hospital for emergency surgery but died from his injuries.
He is the third teenager to be killed in London this year.