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Victim killed with his own gun in bungled
drugs raid
Son sees his father shot with air rifle when gang burst into house
ROBBERS have killed a 57-year-old man with his own airgun in a bungled drugs heist, the first time such a weapon has been used fatally, according to Met experts.
Robert William Lettin was shot in front of his son by a gang who forced their way into his Cricklewood home last Wednesday to steal his hoard of drugs and cash.
A pellet from the high-powered air rifle used in the attack passed through his chest and into his heart.
Detectives investigating the shooting believe a man known to the victim knocked on the door of the terraced house in Lichfield Road at about 5.30pm to initiate a drug deal. When Mr Lettin opened the door, three other men burst in.
Police believe that during a fight, one of the three snatched Mr Lettin’s loaded Gunpower Stealth rifle and shot him.
Two of the gang fled, but the killer stayed to continue beating Mr Lettin’s son and to steal a laptop, phone and possibly drugs before escaping towards Hampstead School. The weapon has not been found.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Lansdowne, from the Met’s murder squad, said the law limited air weapons to 12lb per foot of pressure.
He added: “This air rifle was right on the legal limit and was powerful enough to be as lethal as shooting a firearm. I’ve spoken to experts and they have never heard of an air weapon being used to kill.”
Detectives are keen to speak to the man who knocked on the door of Mr Lettin’s house and would not be looking to investigate him for buying drugs if he came forward.
Det Chief Insp Lansdowne added that the two robbers who fled the house appeared to have panicked when the raid got out of hand. He encouraged them to speak to police.
As forensic teams searched bins and gardens between Westbere Road and Cricklewood Lane on Thursday, one woman in her 40s, who did not wish to be named, said: “There’s been some trouble around here but mostly with kids. When I heard someone had been shot I couldn’t believe it.”
A 23-year-old man was arrested in Kilburn on Thursday in connection with the shooting but released on bail.
Police have appealed for witnesses to call the incident room on 020 8358 0200, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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