News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Witnesses have claimed a man accidentally killed himself as police investigate his death in south-east London.

Scotland Yard responded to reports of suspicious activity in Sydenham at 3.45pm today, with firearms officers being summoned after shots were heard.

The victim, in his twenties, was found with gunshot wounds and died at the scene at 3.50pm, police said.

Witnesses in the area told the PA news agency they had heard reports the man had accidentally shot himself.

Forensic teams could be seen photographing the scene where the body was reportedly still lying three hours later.

A 56-year-old woman living nearby said: "He came to shoot someone else, but he ended up shooting himself.

"The bullet bounced off a car window. You can see on the car window where the bullet bounced off it.

"After it happened, the boy he came to shoot stood there filming him."

(Image: PA)

The woman said the young man had been stuck inside the police cordon for three hours since the shooting.

"He's been there for three hours covered by a sheet. [...] It's really sad," she said.

She said she had lived in Sydenham for 25 years and there had been very few incidents.

"It's a nice little area this. It's up and coming," she said.

(Image: PA)

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Two men drinking in a nearby pub heard one gunshot, but believed it to be a car backfiring.

They said they had not heard any commotion before or after the shot.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: "We've heard three or four different stories - we've heard it was a guy on a moped, someone in a car and then that the (victim) did it to himself."

Adam Cornish, 37, who lives close to the scene, said the area had been largely unaffected by rising levels of violence elsewhere in the capital.

Mr Cornish, who has a two-year-old daughter, said: "I've lived here for five-and-a-half years - you get a few idiots driving up and down too fast but nothing like this."

Wayne St John, who lives nearby with his wife and 22-year-old daughter, also said it was a very safe area.

(Image: PA)

But he added: "There was a burnt-out car a few days ago down by the traffic lights (on Sydenham Road). It was left there for about three days."

A shopkeeper on the high street also told PA that he and his colleague had also heard the victim had accidentally shot himself.

"A group of guys were sitting in a car by the [Lloyds] bank and a big guy came up to them with a shotgun.

"They all got out of the car and ran so the guy decided to damage the car with the back of the gun.

"As he was hitting the windows the gun went off and he shot himself - that's what we've been told."

The Metropolitan Police said no arrests have yet been made and that a police presence remained at the scene.

In response to the incident, Ellie Reeves, Labour MP for Lewisham West and Penge, tweeted: "Shocked and saddened to learn of the fatal shooting in Sydenham this afternoon.

"My thoughts are with the victim and their family. This violence has no place in our community."

Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan said on Twitter : "Terrible news from Sydenham this afternoon and my heart goes out to this young man's family."

Police were given extra stop and search powers through a Section 60 order, running from 5pm on Sunday to 7am on Monday in seven local wards.

A statement released earlier by the Metropolitan Police says: "Police were called at 15:45hrs on Sunday, 8 September to reports of suspicious activity in Sydenham Road, SE29.

"Officers attended. Shots were subsequently heard and firearms officers were also called to the scene along with the London Ambulance Service.

"A man in his 20s was found with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene at 15:50hrs.

"Police remain at the scene – there have been no arrests at this stage and enquiries in to the circumstances continue."

Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.