The 20-year-old man who was gunned down on Wednesday evening has been named as Ricardo Cox.

An inquest has found Ricardo - who is described on this website by friends as “anti drug, anti gang, anti weapons” and a “great man” - was shot twice in the upper body and died from a gun shot in the abdomen.

He was hit as he walked down Derby Road in West Croydon.

An eyewitness told the Croydon Guardian he had seen a black car talking to someone at the side of the road.

The car then raced off, performed a u-turn and headed back towards the victim. He saw a flash and the car then drove at speed towards Croydon town centre.

An incident room has opened at Lewisham under Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain.

DCI Allain said: "At this stage we have no information as to why Ricardo would have been the target of a shooting.

"He was not linked to any gangs and was a young man who wanted to do positive things with his life.

"His family and friends have been devastated by this and I would urge anyone with information to call the incident room or Crimestoppers to help get them justice."

Chief Superintendent Adrian Roberts, Croydon Police, said: “Following last night’s fatal shooting, Safer Neighbourhoods officers will be conducting high visibility patrols in the Mitcham Road area to reassure and engage with the local community.

“Croydon Police is putting every effort into supporting the Specialist Crime Directorate‘s investigation into this tragic murder in order to bring those responsible to justice.”

The incident comes in the middle of Operation Safe For All which was launched to crackdown on youth and gang crime in the borough.

Councillor Steve O'Connell, Croydon Council's cabinet member for safety and cohesion, said: "This late night shooting is highly regrettable. We don't yet know the circumstances but understand the ordeal his family must be suffering.

The Broad Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team will be holding a street briefing at 4pm on Friday 28th November 2008 in Derby Road, junction with Parsons Mead.

The team can be contacted on 020 8721 2712 or by e-mail at broadgreen.snt@met.police.uk.