Children see father shot

Forensic officers examine the scene of the shooting

Detectives are continuing to hunt for the killers of a 38-year-old man who was gunned down at his London home in front of his partner and three young children.

Alan Musgrove was shot as he struggled with a man who had knocked at the door of the family's east London home.

Mr Musgrove's partner, Lauren Chambers, 37, tried to help him in the doorstep struggle in Tower Hamlets Road, Forest Gate, at around 2230 BST on Friday night.

But as she did so, a second man is thought to have appeared and then shot the father-of-five at close range.

Alan Musgrove, who was gunned down on his doorstep

Mr Musgrove, who was unemployed, was taken to Newham General Hospital where he later died.

The killing was witnessed by three of the couple's five children, aged eight, 14 and 15. A five-year-old was asleep in bed and an 18-year-old was not at the house.

Two suspects, both described as black and wearing dark clothing, were seen fleeing from the scene after the shooting.

Family supported

Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Kavanagh, of the Metropolitan Police's Serious Crime Group East, said: "This was an horrific crime which tragically was witnessed at close hand by the victim's wife and children.

"The family have been left in a state of total shock and are naturally devastated by what they have seen.

"They are being looked after by friends and family with the support of trained police liaison officers."

Police investigating the fatal shooting say it appears to be motiveless and are asking anyone with any information to contact them.

"I would also like to hear from people who saw anyone fitting the descriptions of the gunmen or who saw anything suspicious in the area of Tower Hamlets Road, Maryland Station or Forest Lane on Friday evening," DCI Kavanagh added.

The officer said that a small, red, modern car was seen driving on Tower Hamlets Road in the direction of Forest Lane shortly after the shooting.