MOTHER'S PLEA TO FIND A KILLER - Daniel Smith a victim of ‘a cowardly act’, says DCI John Crossley

Published: 11 March 2011
by JOSH LOEB

THE mother of Daniel Smith, the electrician shot in Paddington, has made an emotional new appeal for information about his murder.

Winnie Smith called on those hiding his killers to come forward in a leaflet distributed by police across schools in Westminster.

Headed “Murder, why would you do it?”, she asks: “Why didn’t the people who killed him just aspire to be like Daniel? They would then be known as men. My son was amazing. We still feel cheated by the people who are shielding his killers.”

DCI John Crossley, leading the investigation, said the killing had been “cowardly”.

Asking for people to come forward with information, he said: “I will meet you at any time where you want to discuss this. If you are not coming forward due to loyalty, this really is misplaced. Daniel was shot from behind in a cowardly act. 

“This could have been your son, brother, husband or friend. I urge you to look into your conscience.”

Mr Smith, 22, from Queen’s Park, was shot in the early hours of Saturday May 22 last year as he left a KFC takeaway in Harrow Road at the junction with Sutherland Avenue in what police have described as “a clear case of mistaken identity”.

DCI Crossley said: “Harrow Road is a busy main road, where the number 18 bus runs, and there must be people who were there at the time and have not yet spoken to us. We also believe that the people responsible live locally and have been talking about this crime. 

“If you are someone who is aware of this and you have not approached us due to fear or misplaced loyalty, I would appeal to you to contact police. Gun crime can create a lot of fear but by not coming forward you are allowing these cowards to continue to ruin people’s lives and increase this fear. 

“Trident has great expertise in protecting witnesses and there are a huge variety of measures that can be put in place to protect you. Please contact me on the incident room number 0208 733 4212 or mobile number 07824 548341.”

Anyone with information can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
There is a reward of £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.