Police charge 32-year-old man after teenager Lathaniel Burrell was shot dead in Stockwell
A 16-year-old boy was gunned down in a shocking Stockwell shooting murder, becoming London’s first fatal gun crime of 2025.
Lathaniel Burrell was gunned down on Tuesday afternoon in Stockwell. Emergency services rushed to Paradise Road after reports of gunfire around 3 pm, but despite desperate attempts to save him, the teenager died at the scene.
Now, police have charged 32-year-old Omar Prempeh from Forest Hill with Burrell’s murder. He is set to appear before Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the Stockwell community, leaving residents shaken and demanding justice. Labour MP Florence Eshalomi condemned the violence, calling the boy’s death a “wasted life” and lamenting the loss of his future.
The fatal shooting unfolded in the middle of the afternoon on a residential street. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as armed officers arrived and paramedics fought to save Burrell’s life.
Police have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the killing, but detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward. A Met spokesperson called on the public to assist, citing case number 4116/04MAR.
A heavy police presence remains in the area, with officers working to reassure the community. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage as part of the investigation.
Burrell’s murder is the first confirmed fatal shooting in London this year. In 2024, the Metropolitan Police recorded 13 gun-related killings out of 105 total homicides in the capital.
Gun violence remains a pressing concern in parts of London, with community leaders calling for urgent action to prevent further bloodshed.
Burrell’s family is being supported by specialist officers as they grapple with the devastating loss. Local residents have expressed their grief and anger, with many demanding increased efforts to tackle violent crime.
“This shouldn’t be happening to our kids,” one Stockwell resident said. “How many more young lives will be taken before something changes?”
With Prempeh set to appear in court, Burrell’s loved ones will be watching closely, hoping for justice for the teenager whose life was brutally cut short.
