Herne Hill Harriers are mourning young runner Sylvester Akapalara, who was killed in a shooting in Peckham last week.

The 17-year-old had shown great talent as a middle distance runner for the Tooting Bec-based club since joining at the age of 12 and was on the gifted and talented athletic programme at Richmond Upon Thames College.

Herne Hill Harriers club secretary Steve Bosley said club members had been left saddened and shocked at news of his death. He added that the Sierra Leonian national originally came to the club after a recommendation for his PE teacher.

Mr Bosley said the club was planning on holding a memorial service for Sylvester sometime next week and hoped to set up a fund in his memory.

“We are hoping to get the support of local MPs and other key people in the community so a fund can be set up in his memory. It might be something which could be used to set up after school clubs or activities to keep young people off the streets.

“The club will also be setting up an annual running award named after him.

“He was a quiet, unassuming lad who never complained about doing an extra event for the team – he often ran himself close to exhaustion for the club’s benefit. He was a reliable team member and rarely late for matches, even if he had to travel further than most just to get to the coach.

“He enjoyed athletics and made many friends both in the club and within the sport. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”

Sylvester competed for the club in the National Young Athletes League (NYAL), the Southern Men’s League and the Ebbisham League and also contested numerous London Schools, Surrey County, South of England and National Championships as well as three English Schools Championships, where he finished both fifth and seventh in 400m finals as a Junior Boy.

In 2008 he won a bronze medal in the U15 800m at the National U15 Indoor Championships in Birmingham and also won the U15 400m Surrey title and was placed third in the South of England Championships.

His performances also appeared in national rankings at every stage of his athletics career, including a placing of 21st for 400m as an U17 in 2010 with a best of 50.4.

Akpalara, who lived in Streatham, was found with gunshot wounds to his neck and chest in a stairwell at Heron House, Pelican estate.

Police officers who attended the incident found two other teenagers with stab wounds who were treated in hospital and later released.

Five people have been arrested in connection wiith the incidents.

Two teenagers were later released and a 17-year-old was bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call 020 8247 4554 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.