DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses following the murder of Marcus Innocent who was fatally shot in the stomach in Woolwich.

The 35-year-old, of Kingsman Street, was gunned down in Lord Warwick Street on the evening of November 19.

Police were called around 6.20pm and London Ambulance Service attended but Mr Innocent was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prior to the attack, a group of between 15 to 20 people – described as black and white individuals – were seen hanging around a group of shops in Kingsman Street at the junction with Lord Warwick Street.

Detectives believe the victim was set upon by one person from this group, before more joined in and then he was shot.

Members of the group were then seen running down Lord Warwick Street towards Frances Street while others drove off in cars parked at the back of the shops in Lord Warwick Street.

A post-mortem examination at Greenwich Mortuary on November 20 gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the stomach area.

A murder inquiry has been launched and detectives from the Trident Gang Crime Command are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.

An incident room has opened under Detective Chief Inspector Chris Le Pere. He said: "I appeal to anyone who was in the area of Lord Warwick Street and Kingsman Street that evening who saw this group or who may have seen the events leading up to this murder.

"We believe the Victim, who lived locally, was attacked by a group of people congregating in Lord Warwick Street near to the junction with Kingsman Street. However at this early stage the motive for this murder is unclear.

“If you witnessed this shooting, or the events leading up to or immediately after it, please call the Incident Room."

Three men have been arrested and subsequently bailed in connection with this investigation pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Incident Room on 020 8247 4553 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.