A 17-year-old boy shot dead near his home in south London has been named by his mother as Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton.

Pretana Morgan paid tribute to her “handsome boy” who had “so much potential”, the morning after he died of a gunshot wound in Kennington.



Armed police responded to reports of gunshots on Cooks Road at about 6.05pm on Saturday, and found Rhyhiem injured on nearby Warham Street. Medics from the London ambulance service and air ambulance gave first aid, but he was pronounced dead just before 7pm.

Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton. Photograph: Abigael Adeoye/PA

Speaking near her home on the Brandon Estate, his mother said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better son. My son was a very handsome boy. He’s got so much potential.”

Morgan said Rhyhiem was “trying to make a difference” by learning to work with children. “This is not life. My son’s a good boy,” she said.

Officers remained on the scene on Sunday morning, with police tape surrounding much of the area around Aberfeldy House.

Detectives from the Metropolitan police’s homicide and major crime command were investigating and urged anyone in the area of Aberfeldy House at the time of the shooting to contact them. There have been no arrests.

The death is the latest in a spate of violent crimes in the capital. Police are investigating more than 60 apparent murders so far this year.