KENSINGTON SHOOTING: Gun found and eyewitness reports say man shot dead was a black taxi passenger

A gun has been recovered from the scene in Kensington where eyewitnesses say a man was shot dead in a taxi after police stopped the black cab.

Metropolitan Police officers responded to reports that a man with a firearm had been seen on Marloes Road W8, entering a bank and bookmakers nearby.

An unnamed eyewitness told The Sun that the man shot at was “in the back of a cab”, before being “dragged out” and arrested on Kensington Road.

The man shot by police was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation has now been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

An IOPC spokesperson told TaxiPoint: “We can confirm we have begun an independent investigation following an incident involving the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

“At around 3.19pm yesterday afternoon (Saturday 12 December), police responded to reports of a man with a firearm on Marloes Road, W8.

“The man was seen to enter a car and armed police stopped the vehicle at the junction of Kensington Road and Palace Gate, SW7.

“Shots were fired and a man sustained gunshot wounds.

“The London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance were called but despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“After being notified of the incident by the MPS, we sent investigators to the scene and the post-incident procedure to start gathering evidence.

“What appears to be a non-police issue firearm has been recovered from the scene.

“Our thoughts are with anyone affected.

“As our investigation is in its very early stages, there is nothing further to add at this stage.”