A man has been shot dead in the middle of a busy north London high street outside a popular cafe. Police descended on Kilburn High Road at 5.20pm on Thursday after reports of the shooting. Witnesses reported seeing armed officers and up to 10 police cars arriving at the scene, just outside Ellie's Cafe and a kebab shop. Paramedics also arrived to treat the man, believed to be in his early 20s, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. One resident, who did not want to be named, said, as people gathered to see what had happened, fights broke out in the crowd. © Lucy Young / Evening Standard / eyevine Contact eyevine for more information about using this image: T: +44 (0) 20 8709 8709 E: info@eyevine.com http://www.eyevine.com
Police descended on Kilburn High Road at 5.20pm on Thursday after reports of the shooting (Picture: Evening Standard/Eyevine)

A 21-year-old man has died after being shot in a busy city street, police confirmed.

The victim was blasted by a lone gunman as he walked down the road in Kilburn, north-west London, on Thursday evening.

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Scotland Yard have said that extra police patrols will take place in the area as police search for the killer.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge, from the Metropolitan Police’s homicide and major crime command, said witnesses had already come forward with information.

He added: ‘We know the area was extremely busy at the time of the shooting.

‘I am convinced that other members of the public have either seen the incident itself, or have seen the suspect arrive at the scene or flee after the shooting.’

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Detectives believe that the man, who has not yet been formally identified, was shot on Palmerston Road before staggering to neighbouring Netherwood Street, where he collapsed.

Police were called at 5.20pm on Thursday and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene an hour later.

A post mortem is due to take place on Saturday. No arrests have yet been made.