Eghosa Ogbebor told his mother that he was going out to film a music video with his school friends on a sunny afternoon during the Easter holidays. But he never came home.
The heartbroken family of the 14-year-old schoolboy described him as ‘playful and full of life’ before he was gunned down near Woolwich Dockyard station.
Two teenage boys aged 16 and 19 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are still in custody.
It is understood that Eghosa recorded drill songs under the name Y.Risky. The teen had released snippets of songs recorded at his school by his friends in the days before he was killed.
Speaking at the family home in Abbey Wood, about a mile from the crime scene, Eghosa’s aunt told Metro his mother was ‘broken’.
She said: ‘He was so fun, playful and full of life. He loved his family and had so many friends he was very popular.
‘He loved music he was so talented and lived for it. On the day he was shot, he had gone out to film a video with his friends.
‘He never came back. His mother is broken. He was so young, he had his whole life ahead of him. He was so young, just a boy.’
Paramedics found the schoolboy with fatal injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene in Lord Warwick Street after emergency services were scrambled at 3.40pm.
His family are being supported by specialist officers.
Friends and neighbours have left flowers outside the family home in memory of Eghosa.
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One told Metro: ‘We are so sorry for the family they are lovely.
‘It’s Easter and should be a time for celebration but they are grieving. It’s just awful.’
A 46-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in custody.
Three other suspects aged 14, 16 and 18 have been released on bail. Forensics officers trawled the crime scene for clues, including bullet casings.
DCI Lucie Card, whose team is leading the investigation, said: ‘Our team of dedicated detectives are continuing enquiries to investigate Eghosa’s tragic death.
‘Residents in Woolwich may have noticed a large amount of police activity last night, as officers arrested three further people in connection with the investigation.
We appreciate the concern that Eghosa’s death has caused, particularly among the local community who will continue to see an increased police presence around the area.
‘There may be people who have heard information or witnessed suspicious activity in the area but not yet contacted police. We urge these people to contact us and assist with the investigation.
‘We will continue to support and update Eghosa’s family as the investigation continues and our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time.’
The mayor of London Sadiq Khan called the killing ‘appalling’.
He said: ‘My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Woolwich following the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy.
‘There is absolutely no place for this heartbreaking violence.’