A 19-year-old man has been shot dead outside a cinema in London, becoming the first teenager to die of gunshot wounds in the capital this year.

Armed police were sent to Wood Green, north London, following reports of a shooting in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound outside Vue cinema complex on Hollywood Green.

The teenager, who has not been named, was taken by paramedics to hospital, where he died a short time later.

His attackers are believed to have fled the scene by moped.

A witness told the Evening Standard: “I was near the entrance to the Tube station when I heard what I thought was fireworks.

”There weren’t many people around as it was late so there was no big reaction. I didn’t see anybody running away, just people looking toward where the sound came from.

“There was a guy shouting at paramedics to save him.”

The Metropolitan Police said it was called to reports of a shooting at 12.32am on Thursday. The force’s murder squad is investigating but no arrests have been made.

Detective Chief Inspector Luke Marks said: ”At this early stage, we’re trying to piece together exactly what has happened. However we believed two people made off on a moped shortly after the incident and this is one line of enquiry that we’re actively pursuing.”

A young person who knew the victim but did not want to be named told The Independent the teenager was a “loving, kind-hearted soul” and said his death was a “complete shock” to everyone who knew him.

The victim’s next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be held soon.