Battersea shooting: Father could have been killed on Christmas Eve in act of 'retribution'

27 December 2019, 16:20

Flamur Beqiri was shot on his doorstep in Battersea
Flamur Beqiri was shot on his doorstep in Battersea. Picture: PA

By Megan White

A father shot dead on his doorstep on Christmas Eve could have been killed in an act of “retribution” police have said.

Record label boss Flamur “Alex” Beqiri was gunned down outside his home in Battersea, south west London, on Tuesday evening in front of his wife and “very young child.”

Officers investigating the attack have now revealed that Mr Beqiri was “possibly involved in some criminality in Sweden” and the shooting could have been related.

Mr Beqiri, 36, whose sister is Real Housewives of Cheshire star Misse Beqiri, was treated at the scene but could not be saved.

Detective Inspector Jamie Stevenson, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “We are three days into our investigation and work continues at pace. Residents will have noticed a large policing presence at the crime scene, which has now been scaled down and it is anticipated will be closed soon.

Tributes were left to Flamur Beqiri
Tributes were left to Flamur Beqiri. Picture: PA

"House to house enquiries have been completed, CCTV enquiries are ongoing and we are making good progress. I would like to thank everyone who has spoken to my officers so far but of course would urge anyone who has yet to contact us to please do so immediately.

“Flamur’s family, his wife and very young child, bore witness to this horrific attack and are coming to terms with having their world turned upside down. I ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.

“I am aware that there is intense speculation around this tragic incident, including the victim’s background and past.”

DI Stevenson continued: “What I can say is that Flamur, who is of Swedish nationality and Albanian heritage, had been living in London for four or five years.

“He was returning home with his wife and child when he was approached by a lone suspect, who shot him multiple times before fleeing on foot.

“Work is ongoing to determine what the possible motive could be, and while we retain an open mind, we are considering that this is a targeted attack. While I am mindful of concerns from the local community, we do not believe at this stage that there is any ongoing risk to members of the public.

“We believe Flamur may possibly have been involved in some criminality in Sweden, and are in liaison with our Swedish counterparts to try to understand what, if any, incidents there may have been that might have led to someone seeking retribution against Flamur in the UK.

“I would reiterate that we are in the very early days, and there is a lot of discussion that I will not comment on.

“What is most important now is getting justice for Flamur’s family.”