Officers from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command have appealed for information following the fatal shooting of a 41-year-old male in Barnet.

Police were called at 23.44hrs on Monday, 12 February in Mount Pleasant, at the junction with Edgeworth Road, Barnet EN4 to reports of shots fired.

Officers attended, including specialist firearms colleagues, and found the man suffering from gunshot wounds.

Despite the best efforts of London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance colleagues, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 00.15hrs.

Next of kin have been informed. Formal ID awaits and a post mortem examination will take place in due course.

There have been no arrests.

A crime scene remains in place, with some limited local road closures remaining. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation is in its early stages but already we are pursuing a number of leads.

“We believe the victim was driving a silver Mercedes, which he had been using in his work as a taxi driver. He was approached by the occupants of a blue van; a number of suspects then got out and fired at the victim, who had also got out of his vehicle.

“The suspects then got back into the vehicle and fled the scene in the direction of Edgeworth Road, turning right into Park Road.

“It is critical that we hear from anyone who witnessed this incident; any fragment of information could be vital to our investigation. Please do not assume that we already have your information.”

Anyone with information can contact the incident room on 0208 785 8099 or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.