Family appeals in fatal shooting

The family of a student killed in a drive-by shooting in south London has appealed for witnesses saying the 'gentle giant' was an innocent victim.

Ricardo Cox, 20, from Croydon, south London, was killed in Mitcham Road on the night of 26 November.

Mr Cox was walking with his brother Oniel, 22, when a car pulled up alongside and several shots were fired, hitting him twice in the upper body.

Police released images of the car which the suspects tried to set alight.

An 18-year-old, who was arrested in Tulse Hill area on Tuesday, has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

'Cold-blooded shooting'

Oneil Cox said he and his brother had been heading home when a car with three people pulled up alongside them and asked whether they knew anyone in Byrd Gang.

He said: "We said 'no we don't'.

"Then they drove off and came back and shot my brother."

Mr Cox was an air cadet for four years and was on a gap year from college and had applied to university to study IT.

"My brother was not in a gang."

Mr Cox's aunt Juliet Mitchell said: "He was a gentle giant. He was loved by everybody.

"Ricky is another one gone too soon and the gang culture that killed him must stop."

Officers said the suspect car, with the lower half of the front bumper deliberately removed, stopped at a petrol pump in Croydon and two suspects tried to set the vehicle alight after abandoning it in Peall Road.

The black hybrid Honda Civic, with the registration plate DG56 XTR, was stolen from Tulse Hill last month and was driven by several people since it was stolen, police said.

Officers described the gunman as being black, aged between 18 and 20, with short hair and a deep voice.

The two others are both described as black men.

Det Ch Insp Damian Allain said: "Those responsible for Ricardo's murder have shot him in cold blood.

"Ricardo was a young man of good intentions for his life, which included looking to join the armed forces, and this has devastated his family."

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