CCTV reveals masked gunman’s calm approach before fatal shooting of 15-year-old at London park event

Chilling CCTV footage has been released by police, showing the harrowing moment a masked gunman entered a crowded London park and fatally shot 15-year-old Rene Graham in the chest. The incident took place during a family fun day at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park in Ladbroke Grove on the evening of 21 July last year, where hundreds had gathered to celebrate. The footage captures the killer, wearing a dark cap and balaclava, calmly walking through the children’s play area before opening fire. After shooting Rene, the assailant jumped the park fence and fled on foot, waving the handgun in his left hand.

Police believe that the key to solving the case lies within a small segment of the west London community, where some individuals may know the identity of the shooter. Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, emphasised the recklessness of the attack in a busy park full of families and young children. She appealed directly to the local community, urging anyone with information to come forward to bring peace to Rene’s grieving family and to prevent such violence from recurring. Despite recent questioning of a man in his 20s under caution, the investigation remains open with all lines of enquiry pursued.

The tragedy has left Rene’s family devastated. His mother, Janay John-Francois, has made several emotional appeals for information, pleading especially with those who might be hesitant to speak out. In a heartfelt statement, she described the depth of her grief and the profound emptiness left by her son’s death. She emphasised the importance of bravery in coming forward, warning that failing to do so might cost other families in the future.

The police had arrested four men, aged between 20 and 25, on suspicion of murder last year, but they were later released without further action. Meanwhile, Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the identification and prosecution of those responsible. Alexa Loukas, the London regional manager for Crimestoppers, highlighted the enormity and impact of the crime on the community and appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or holds relevant information to contact the charity anonymously.

Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah has expressed concern over the killing, describing it as shocking and tragic. She indicated the investigation remains in its early stages, and detectives are keeping an open mind about possible motives. All available resources are being used to identify those involved in the murder, with a focus on gathering any witness reports or footage from the day. Detective Inspector Adam Clifton urged the public to consider whether they saw Rene before the shooting or noticed anyone acting suspiciously on the towpath, which could provide valuable clues.

The murder took place during the annual Park Lime event, a pre-Notting Hill Carnival family fun day featuring live music, games, and face painting, attended by more than a thousand people. Such a brazen act of violence at a community event has sent shockwaves through the local area, highlighting the urgent need for justice.

The police appeal remains ongoing, with authorities encouraging anyone with information—no matter how minor it may seem—to come forward. The community’s cooperation is seen as crucial in identifying the culprit and preventing further tragedies. Meanwhile, Rene’s mother continues to grieve, calling on the community for the courage to help bring justice and peace after such an unbearable loss.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is current, dated 19 July 2025, and presents new CCTV footage released by the police, indicating high freshness.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, and from the mother of the victim, Janay John-Francois. These quotes are consistent with previous statements made by them, suggesting they are not newly obtained. However, the inclusion of these quotes in this specific context may be original.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet, enhancing its reliability.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The details about the CCTV footage and the ongoing investigation align with previously reported information, confirming the plausibility of the claims.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is current, sourced from a reputable outlet, and presents plausible information consistent with prior reports. The inclusion of existing quotes suggests some recycled content, but the new CCTV footage and the context provided support a high confidence in the report’s credibility.