Clapham local news: Matthias Poleon, 27, 'set upon without warning' by 2 masked suspects

The victim of a fatal shooting in Balham was "set upon without warning" by two masked suspects as he left his home on Thursday night.

Police said the two suspects shot Matthias Poleon, 27, in the chest and fled the scene in a silver car at around 10.50pm on Thursday (June 17), leaving him to die in his doorway on Bedford Hill.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin who is leading the investigation said: "Matthias was leaving his home address when he was set upon without warning by two suspects wearing facemasks who fired at him and then fled the scene in a silver hatchback vehicle - possibly a Peugeot, or a VW Golf - in the direction of Balham town centre."

Matthias was rushed to hospital but died less than an hour after emergency services were called to the scene.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Saturday, 19 June gave a cause of Matthias' death as a gunshot-wound to the chest.

DCI Goodwin is urging anyone with information that might help the investigation to contact police.

"I implore anyone who saw a suspicious vehicle in the area around of the time of the incident to contact us. Matthias was horrifically and brutally shot at his front door and left to die in the doorway. His friends and members of the public came to his aid in a bid to save his life, but his injuries were too great.

"The people responsible for this needless loss of life are violent criminals and must be apprehended. If you have dash cam footage, doorbell footage, or saw anything that you think might assist police, you must tell us; the slightest piece of information could prove crucial in helping us catch two dangerous offenders who have access to a firearm.

"Matthias's family are at the beginning of an incredible ordeal. Think of their grieving, think of their suffering, and please do the right thing and tell police what you know.

"Crimestoppers is a 100% anonymous method if you do not want to speak to police directly. What matters most is that you make the call."

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