A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a schoolboy who was shot dead in broad daylight outside a playground.
“Popular” Lathaniel Burrell, 16, was killed in Stockwell, south west London, shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.
The young lad, from Stockwell, died at the scene with cops quickly launching a murder probe.
Now a 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Croydon today.
The Metropolitan Police said he remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee said: “Our detectives are working hard to piece together the events of Tuesday afternoon and identify those responsible for killing Lathaniel.
“We continue to appeal for anyone with information about Lathaniel’s murder to please come forward and speak to us.”
Witnesses claim Lathaniel was shot by a man dressed as a delivery driver who fled on a moped, according to The BBC.
The teen had emerged from a block of flats along with another youngster before he was shot – with the other boy running away afterwards, a source added.
They also told of hearing two bangs “like fireworks going off”.
Others claim to have seen the teen chased down by two men shortly before the shots rang out.
A mother-of-two, 44, told The Metro: “It looked like two were chasing another who dropped to the ground as I was watching.
“A boy in a white or grey hoodie had his hand in his pocket, but I could see a gun shape in the pocket.
“He and the other lad he was with then sprinted off.”
She then described how a luxury car pulled up and an agitated young man got out.
He was allegedly saying “oh my god” and waving his arms around before cops arrived.
The youngster, who grew up on the Studley Estate, was described by those who knew him as a “sweet guy” and “very bright at school”.
Residents paid tribute to the Manchester United fan and around 18 bouquets of flowers were left at the scene.
One local, who asked not to be named, told The Sun: “He was a very nice boy.
“He’s got himself into trouble here and there but he was really nice. Everyone around here knew him.
“He was a sweet guy but he got wrapped up in the wrong crowd. He’s friends with a lot of people here.
“A lot of us knew him since he was a kid. I’m shocked. My friend just told me and it’s a shock.
“I knew him so long since he was little. The fact that it happened to one of our kids – it’s devastating.
“And to do it on our estate. It used to be bad and it got better but now this has happened.”
Shopkeeper Aftab Khan, 18, who also knew Lathaniel, told The Sun: “He’s a very nice guy. I saw him [on Monday].
“He came in to buy a drink. He’s a very good guy. He lives in that building behind the shop. It was just him and his mum.
“I’m shocked – he’d come in and he’d never ask for change back.”
Another resident, who said she knew the boy’s mother, said Lathaniel was “very bright at school” – and that his dad worked at a nearby go-karting facility.
“He [the dad] is great at looking after this community,” the woman, who asked not to be named, said.
If you have any information which may help the investigation, please call 101 with the reference 4116/04MAR.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 if you want to remain anonymous.
