Local Shooting

Recent reports in The Hampstead and Highgate Express

July 08

Friends have paid tribute to an Albanian builder gunned down in cold blood on Hendon Way during rush hour.

Nezir Golaj, of Garth Road, Child's Hill was shot dead on Thursday morning in the middle of the A41 as he sat in his car at around 8.30am.

One friend, who asked to remain anonymous told the Ham&High: "Nezir was a respected member of the Albanian community. No one did more than him for the community. He was one of the best people. It is very upsetting."

Another said: "This murder has shocked friends, relatives, colleagues and the whole Albanian community in London."

Scotland Yard has opened a murder investigation with specialist detectives drafted in to look into the killing.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance rushed to the scene and found Mr Golaj with multiple gun shot wounds. The A41 remained closed to traffic until the afternoon as forensic officers carried out a finger tip search of the scene.

Barnet Borough Commander Neil Basu moved to allay fears in the aftermath of the shooting.

Chief Supt Basu said: "I understand the community will be anxious about the recent fatal shooting in Child's Hill. I would firstly like to extend the sympathy of myself and my colleagues to the family of the victim and those who have been affected.

"Police strongly believe the parties involved in this incident were known to each other and this was not a random shooting. Police are not aware of any specific threat to the general public and such incidents remain rare in Barnet."Rest assured that many dedicated police officers will be working hard to ensure the safety of Barnet residents and to bring those responsible to justice."

July 12

A MAN has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder following a shooting in Childs Hill on Thursday.

Hajdar Kasumaj, 50, of Firs Lane, Palmers Green, is charged with the murder of Nezir Golaj, 45, in Hendon Way on Thursday, the murder of Osman Grbic, 58, in Milton Avenue, Newham, and the attempted murder of a 43-year-old man in Wightman Road, Haringey on Friday.

He is also charged with three counts of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, possession of a silencer and unlicensed ammunition.

He is due to appear today at City of Westminster Magistrates Court.