Family’s desperate plea for answers after dad shot in the head outside Croydon party

The heartbroken family of a South London dad fatally shot in the head just days before starting a new job with the Royal Mail have made a desperate plea for answers over his death. Leroy Mitchell, 35, was killed in the early hours of the morning On October 2, 2021 outside a silent disco on Birdhurst Road, Croydon.

Over five months on from the shooting, his niece, Chardonnay Keane, told BBC One’s Crimewatch Live : “It’s so hard. It’s hard, were, upset, angry confused. Just want to know why. Why did it happen to him. What has he done, we don’t understand. He went out for a party and he never come back.”

Leroy had been out on the town with a friend hitting up a few bars and clubs before heading to the party on Birdhurst Road. He left the party, heading to a nearby carpark where he was shot in the head with a shotgun.

READ MORE: Locals in shock after victim, 35, killed in quiet neighbourhood

The Met Police were called shortly before 5am on Saturday October 2 to a car park on Birdhurst Road. They found Leroy suffering from a gunshot wound and he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Although a 25-year-old was arrested he was later released on bail.

Chardonnay paid tribute to her uncle saying: “He just loved people and wanted the best for everyone. He was a hard working dad and recently just got a job for Royal Mail. Everything was for family. Especially his three kids were first.

“We was very close. He was always there for us. He took my sister to her first interview at college to make sure she was there alright he wa so supportive for me when I was in school. He just wanted everyone to be happy.”

She also described the life changing moment she first heard the news. She continued: “It was early Saturday morning when my sister come running in with the phone in her hand. She was like ‘get up get up it’s dad. Something about Leroy he’s dead’.

“We was in disbelief, we wasn’t quite understanding what was happening. It was quarter to seven in the morning. My mum took the phone and she tried talk to me dad. He was crying and couldn’t get his words out. And once he told us, he said: ‘He was at a party and he’s dead’.”

Police have put out an urgent appeal to anyone at the party who had not already spoken to officers, to come forward. According to the investigators there were 50 and 150 people at various points throughout the night.

DCI Katherine Goodwin said: “We have spoken to a number of people who were at the party but we know the vast majority haven’t yet spoken to us and they may just have vital information which is what we’re appealing for today.”

A reward of £20,000 has also been offered by Crimestoppers to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest.

Is there a story in your corner of the city you think MyLondon should be covering? Please get in touch at charlie.jones@reachplc.com

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