The family of a young man who was shot dead in the street say they are “saddened” after police admitted the hunt for the gunman has run cold.
Daneche Tison, 26, was shot through the heart as he stood with friends outside a block of flats in west London nearly two years ago.
The Metropolitan Police made eight arrests in the search for the killer, as well as releasing CCTV of the suspected gunman.
But at an inquest on Tuesday, the force said lines of enquiry have been “exhausted” and without fresh evidence the murder is likely to remain unsolved.
Mr Tison’s aunt Genifa told the inquest her family is “saddened” that no one has yet been brought to justice.
“The family are quite disheartened”, she said, adding that they fear it will be seen as simply “another death” in London’s battle with gun crime.
The shooting happened just before 2am on July 19 2022, when a black car pulled up in Bruckner Street, West Kilburn, and a man got out of the vehicle.
Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said Mr Tison – described by his family as “young and talented” – was stood in a group of men by the stairwell to a block of flats when the unidentified man fired three shots.
“Sadly, two of the bullets made contact with Mr Tison”, she said. “He sustained appalling and unsurvivable injuries.”
Mr Tison was rushed to hospital by his friends, but injuries including a bullet through his heart were fatal.
“Three bullets came from the same gun, and it is incredibly sad that they found a place to lodge in Mr Tison’s body”, said the coroner.
“It is not clear he was the intended victim, from the evidence I have heard.
“Sadly it was Mr Tison that died. It could have been someone else, and it could have been more than one person.”
Met Police detective Andy Sheppard told the court an image of the suspected shooter had been released, but none of those arrested after the shooting were charged with murder.
“It doesn’t mean we have stopped working on this. We’ve not stopped trying”, he said.
“But unfortunately this is the point where we are with the investigation.
“Unless there’s significant new evidence, like from a witness or something to do with the firearm, then this case may remain unsolved.”
He added: “The case is never closed from our end. We always try out best to bring justice to the family.
“We are in that sad position at the moment that primary lines of investigation have been exhausted.”
The coroner recorded the death as an unlawful killing, with the cause of death being a gunshot wound to the heart.
Anyone with information about the murder can call 101 quoting CAD 597/19Jul, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
