Boy, 17, dies after London shooting

A 17-year-old boy who was shot dead in Southwark, south London has been named as Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton.

The Metropolitan Police said they were called to reports of gunshots on Cooks Road just after 6pm on Saturday evening.

The teenager was found injured on nearby Warham Street and was pronounced dead at the scene just before 7pm, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff.

No arrests have been made and the boy's next of kin have been informed.

Rhyhiem's mother Pretana Morgan told reporters on the estate: "I couldn't have asked for a better son. My son was a very handsome boy.

"He's got so much potential."

Ms Morgan said Rhyhiem was "trying to make a difference" by learning to work with children.

"This is not life. My son's a good boy," she said.

She criticised the police, saying: "We're not being protected because of the police. The police are the ones putting us in danger."

Ms Morgan said it was not the first time her son was targeted and alleged the perpetrators were from a gang outside the area, adding that her son was not involved with any gangs.

She said: "You think he's a bad person, (that) he's in a gang. There's no gangs round here."

Ms Morgan, who wept as she talked about her son, said he aspired to be an architect, adding: "I need to hold him. My handsome boy."

The boy's death is the latest in a spate of violent crimes in the capital, as police investigate more than 60 alleged murders so far this year.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said “This violent crime in London and across our country is simply unacceptable. It cannot be tolerated."

Anyone with information should call the police on 101 quoting reference cad 6414/5May, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.