|
|
 |
| |
Ahmet Paytak |
Shopkeeper gunned down in gang feud ‘a victim of mistaken identity’
Detectives link shooting of father and son to clash between rival Turkish drug dealers
THE shopkeeper killed in an assassination-style shooting on Sunday was an innocent man caught up in the crossfire between rival drug gangs, detectives believe.
Ahmet Paytak, 50, was shot in the stomach as he closed up the off-licence where he worked at the junction of Hornsey Road and Tollington Road, Holloway.
His son, Huseyin, 21, was also shot in the leg in the 10.40pm attack.
The shooting occurred when a motorbike mounted the pavement outside Mr Paytak’s shop and a pillion rider got off. He opened fire on Mr Paytak, who was standing in the doorway, and his son, who was inside the shop.
Police believe Mr Paytak, a Kurd from Turkey, was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Detective Chief Inspector Carl Mehta said: “I have no evidence or information that the two victims in the shop that day were the targets of this shooting. So, in other words, my belief is they were wrongly shot at.” He agreed that it could have been a case of mistaken identity.
Det Chief Insp Mehta said it was likely the violence was sparked by an escalating row between two Turkish drug-dealing gangs from Islington, Haringey and Hackney, which had brought bursts of violence in recent months.
“I believe those involved in [the shooting] were from Turkish gangs,” he said. “We do know there has been over the past couple of months a number of incidents involving rival Turkish gangs… and we believe this incident arises out of that feud between these two gangs.”
He warned gang members that police were on their trail and would be “pro-actively taking action against them”. Police have stepped up their presence on the streets amid concern about continued violence.
Mr Paytak, who lived with his wife Ayse and two of their three children in Michael Cliffe House, Skinner Street, Finsbury, had been working at Euro Wine and Food for only a few months.
Huseyin, who was visiting his father at the shop, is still in hospital and has had surgery.
A makeshift shrine has sprung up outside the shop since the shooting. Among flowers and cards left by family and friends is a letter, written in Turkish, from the dead man’s wife. It reads: “I still can’t believe that you have passed away. I feel as if you will suddenly get up and speak to me. I can’t believe that you have left me alone. What will I do without you?
“My children are fatherless now. I miss you incredibly. My dear Ahmet, I beg you to get up and come back to me, but I know you have become an angel and flown away to heaven.”
She signs off: “From your wife and children who love you dearly.”
A neighbour described Mr Paytak as “the most pleasant shopkeeper in Islington” while another began to cry. “It’s awful,” she said. “They were very nice.”
Savas Kurt, co-ordinator of Kurdish community centre Halkevi, in Stoke Newington, urged people to help police. “When anyone gets killed in a specific community, people are scared,” he said.
“They don’t know if it could happen to them or be around the corner. It is up to the police to investigate – if you know anything, tell the police.”
Lib Dem councillor Meral Ece, from a Turkish-speaking background, said: “If it is gang-related it’s going to be very hard – people tend to be scared to give up information, but to kill someone in cold blood is shocking.
“Whoever knows anything should come forward.”
Martin Whelan, publican at The Tollington, opposite the scene of the shooting, rushed over to help Mr Paytak.
He said: “He was lying on his back in the doorway and had a shotgun wound to the tummy. I picked up the bullet shells and stuck them in a handkerchief for the police, then I could hear screaming in the back. We never saw the other guy, just heard him screaming in pain.
“[Mr Paytak] was semi-conscious. He was moving. One of the customers was a nurse. We put pressure over the wound and called the ambulance.”
Detectives have released CCTV images of the gunmen.
Det Chief Insp Mehta said police wanted to recover the motorbike and gun used in the attack and identify the two assailants. He stressed that gangs “represent a very small part” of the Turkish community and urged others from within it to come forward.
Anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
 |
|
|
|
Your comments:
CANIM DAYIM
22.03.09
Rest In Peace
Sanane
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
