Kings Langley shooting: everything we know so far

Police were called to Railway Terrace at 12.33am yesterday following multiple shots being heard and a car “screeching off”. The victim was found seriously injured and pronounced dead shortly after, the force said.

At 12.45am, officers then received reports of a white Volkswagen Golf on fire in Furtherfield, Abbots Langley, which is believed to be linked.

No arrests have been made over what is being treated as an isolated attack.

Police forensics team beyond the cordon in Kings Langley (Image: Newsquest)

Witnesses

In Kings Langley an 80-year-old told the Watford Observer: “I heard the shooting, but I didn’t know it was a shooting. I thought it was a car backfiring ‘bang, bang, bang, bang’. I heard people shouting, ‘get out of the road’.”

A 26-year-old, whose car was stuck within the cordon yesterday morning, said he was “woken up by gunshots” at 12.30am, before hearing a car “screeching off” and seeing a man in the middle of the road.

Railway Terrace near the junction with Lakeside Avenue (Image: Newsquest) Samir, 24, who lives within the cordoned off area, said he was kept up all night by the police response, while numerous others voiced disbelief that such a serious attack could happen in Kings Langley.

At one stage during the afternoon, a UK Power Networks van that was parked in an industrial estate near the scene was cordoned off. Members of the public suggested there could be bullet holes on the side, though that has not been confirmed by police.

Car fire in Furtherfield, Abbots Langley

Around 15 minutes after the shooting, police received reports of a white Volkswagen Golf on fire in Furtherfield, Abbots Langley, which is being linked.

Though far fewer people appear to have been aware of it at the time, local resident Shikha Ahuja recalled an “unusual” incident involving a car between 12.30am and 1am.

The 42-year-old said she heard what she believed was a car door being closed several times, adding: “Then it happened a third time, I peaked out the window and there was a white car which was going, stopping, going, stopping – not sure what was happening, and then suddenly it stopped at this junction.”

She then went to sleep as she thought they may be waiting for someone.

Forensics teams working on the burnt out car in Abbots Langley (Image: Huw Richards) (Image: Huw Richards) Forensics teams were seen inspecting the shell of what appears to be a white Volkswagen Golf mounted on pavement under trees in Furtherfield at around 1.30pm.

What have police said?

Three Rivers Chief Inspector Andrew Palfreyman said: “We believe this was an isolated incident and there is not believed to be a wider threat to the public.

“I appreciate this will have concerned local members of the community and you can expect to see an increased police presence in the area and additional patrols.”

Tyre tracks where the vehicle is said to have screeched off. (Image: Newsquest) Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner also urged anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to contact them.

“Additionally, if you were travelling in the area of Kings Langley and/or Abbots Langley at around 12.30am and witnessed anything suspicious, please do get in touch,” he added.

It is not being linked with the A41 shooting and wider connected Watford violence in recent months, the force said.

Reaction

Harthall Lane resident Linda Toms, 71, said she was “completely shocked, bewildered”, adding that locals didn’t know anything about what was going on while emergency services worked through the night.

Retiree Linda Toms, 71, lives in Harthall Lane. (Image: Newsquest)

Chair of governors at Kings Langley School Frances Stickley, 61, added: "To see the tent there, that was quite shocking that it just seems to be at the bottom of our road."

Frances Stickley (Image: Newsquest) Samir, 24, who lives within the cordoned off area, said he was kept up all night by the police response, while Nick, 53, could not believe that such a serious attack could happen in Kings Langley, adding “nothing happens here”.

Samir, 24, lives within the cordoned off area (Image: Newsquest)

Doorbell footage of emergency services at the scene

MP reacts

South West Hertfordshire MP Gagan Mohindra said at the time: "I am shocked to hear of reports of a serious incident in Kings Langley this morning, and my thoughts are with anyone affected. 

"I encourage anyone with information to get in touch with Hertfordshire Police, and I have no doubt that they will work tirelessly to ensure our area is safe."

(Image: Gagan Mohindra MP)