Witnesses describe 'shocking' moment young man shot dead in broad daylight

Witnesses have described the "shocking" moment a man in his 20s was fatally shot near a London prison in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon.

The young man died on Roman Way beside Pentonville prison in Islington, north London.

Police and London Ambulance Service crews were called to the scene at around 3.20pm, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

One witness told the PA news agency: "I heard around seven shots [...] There’s always crime around here, the shooting is shocking, but not much of a surprise."

They added: "It's not nice though, especially near the local park."

Islington resident Emi Koizumi Watson said she heard "what sounded like nine rounds being rapidly fired," she initially thought it was "just fireworks" having never heard gunshots before.

Ms Watson, who has lived in the area for 12 years, said she heard a helicopter and sirens and saw an air ambulance arrive nearby.

"I must be still in shock that it’s happened. I don't know what I feel," she said.

Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, tweeted about the incident writing: "My thoughts are with the victim's family and friends and local residents in whose midst this terrible event occurred."

A woman who lives nearby - and did not want to be named - said she heard "five or six" gunshots and described the incident as "heartbreaking".

The victim's family has been told, and Scotland Yard has said no arrests have been made.

The Metropolitan Police said it was too early to say whether the shooting was linked to Pentonville, which is one of the country’s oldest and busiest jails housing a men’s prison and a young offender institution.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has video or images that could assist, is asked to call 101 referencing CAD 4432/4 July.