A 40-year-old man was shot dead in the presence of dozens of people, including children, during a memorial gathering in East Acton, West London.

The incident occurred on Friday evening near the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street, where between 40 and 50 people had assembled for the service.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were alerted at about 7:47pm following reports of several gunshots in the area.

Police and London Ambulance Service personnel responded to the scene and found the victim with serious injuries.

Despite efforts by emergency medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The police said the deceased’s relatives had been notified and were being supported by specially trained officers.

Although a post-mortem examination will determine the precise cause of death, detectives believe the victim died from a gunshot wound.

The incident has since triggered a murder investigation, with officers continuing to examine the scene and gather evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is overseeing the investigation, described the shooting as a “senseless act of violence” and appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident to assist the police.

Howie said investigators were aware that between 40 and 50 people, including children, were at the memorial service when the shooting occurred.

“What should have been a time to come together in remembrance has instead left a family devastated,” he said.

He urged anyone who was around Erconwald Street, Braybrook Street, nearby roads or the Wormwood Scrubs playground between 6pm and 8pm to contact the police with any information that could assist the investigation.

Detectives are particularly seeking information about individuals seen carrying or attempting to conceal weapons, suspicious cyclists, or vehicles travelling at unusually high speeds around the time of the shooting.

Members of the public with photographs, mobile phone videos, dashcam recordings, doorbell-camera footage or relevant social media posts have also been urged to submit them to investigators.

Police said even seemingly minor information could prove useful in piecing together the events leading to the fatal shooting.

No arrest had been made at the time of the latest police update.