What started as a typical quiet night in Stoke Newington quickly turned into something far darker.
Around midnight on Tuesday, the well-off North London neighbourhood—known for its calm streets and million-pound homes—was rocked by gunfire that ended the life of 45-year-old Erdal Ozmen.
Ozmen, a father of three and a social club owner, was shot dead in what’s being investigated as a gang-related killing.
The attack has left locals shaken and authorities working round the clock for answers.
Chilling CCTV Footage Captures the Aftermath
Footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows the suspected attackers fleeing the scene in a black Kia shortly after the fatal shooting.
The car was seen turning onto Stoke Newington High Street and briefly pausing at a red light before speeding off—eerily calm, without any attempt to hide their faces.
A friend of Ozmen, who spoke anonymously, described the harrowing moment: “Someone shot him in the back, then came back, kicked him, and shot him twice more.
No masks, no panic—they were just that confident.”
A Past Marked by Violence Comes to Light
As police dig deeper, more details about Ozmen’s past have surfaced.
In 2006, he was jailed for his role in a botched shooting outside a petrol station in Tottenham, which left a Turkish man wounded.
That violent past has now resurfaced as detectives explore possible motives.
Locals Wake to Gunshots and Tragedy
Residents were jolted awake in the early hours.
Liza Dodds, a 58-year-old youth worker who lives nearby, recalled her husband alerting her to what sounded like gunshots. “At first I didn’t believe him,” she said.
“But then we looked out and saw police officers doing CPR. It went on for what felt like forever.”
Despite their efforts, paramedics pronounced Ozmen dead at the scene.
His family, including three brothers, are now preparing to honour his memory at a social club in Tottenham.
Neighbours Point to Suspicious Activity Before Shooting
Those living close to the scene say the area had long raised concerns.
Sandy Fabiszewska, who lives above the street where the shooting occurred, said she heard four loud gunshots but was too frightened to look out the window.
She added that the basement flat below her had always seemed questionable.
“It smelled like weed, people came and went constantly, and the place had been raided by police in the past,” she said.
“Ozmen was often seen going in and out with a group of men.”
Eyewitnesses Describe the Night’s Chaos
Sandy’s flatmate, who was outside when the incident happened, reportedly heard someone yell “Go, go, go!” as the car sped away.
A Lime bike was knocked over during the getaway, and there were screams from the street as neighbours tried to piece together what had just happened.
Another neighbour, who chose not to be named, said they arrived home around 1am to find the entire street blocked off and declared a crime scene by police.
Longtime Friend Remembers a Different Side of the Victim
Despite his criminal record, friends like Ali Rizi Ojur remembered Ozmen differently.
Speaking to ITV News, Ojur said: “I’ve known him over 20 years.
He was a good guy, always helping people. He had two kids and a family.”
It’s this duality—the community helper with a checkered past—that’s left many struggling to make sense of what happened.
Forensic Teams Scour the Scene for Clues
By Tuesday afternoon, the crime scene remained under investigation.
Forensic officers in full protective gear used flashlights to inspect under parked cars, carefully combing for any evidence that might lead to the suspects.
A lone Lime bike still lay on its side, a haunting reminder of the chaos that unfolded just hours earlier.
Police Urge Calm, But Questions Remain
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke acknowledged the community’s concerns but said the incident appears to be isolated.
“There’s no indication of broader risk to the public,” she reassured, though extra officers will remain in the area for now.
She encouraged anyone with information to step forward, especially those who may have seen something in the early hours of Tuesday.
Paramedics Couldn’t Save Him Despite Fast Response
According to the London Ambulance Service, crews were dispatched at 12:18am, including a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance.
Despite their best efforts, Ozmen couldn’t be saved.
The post-mortem is pending, and police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to help with the investigation.
Have any information?
Call police on 101, quoting CAD 108/5AUG, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
