A TOTTENHAM man gunned down in Chingford has been described by a friend as "a lovely bloke who always had a smile on his face".

Wayne Powell, 39, of Tottenham, died after being shot several times in High Station Avenue, in south Chingford. He was a hard working family man his friend Paul Brace said, after struggling to come to terms with the tragic news. Mr Brace said: "You hear of these gangland things, but the first thing I thought of was mistaken identity.

"Wayne was a really nice bloke and was never in or around trouble."

Mr Powell grew up living a few doors along from Mr Brace in Stamford Hill, on the Haringey/Hackney border.

Mr Brace, 42, said they lived in the same road from the age of 11 until they were in their 20s.

Mr Brace, who now lives in Chester, said he last saw Mr Powell about three weeks ago.

He said: "I was in total shock when I heard.

"There was something special about Wayne, he was just a lovely bloke.

"He would always be immaculately dressed and he always had a smile on his face."

Mr Brace said he and his brother Darrell grew up spending time with Mr Powell and two of his brothers, Robert and Paul. Mr Powell is believed to have a third brother, Tyrone.

Police officers are still hunting Mr Powell's killer.

It is believed he was sitting in his black BMW when he was approached by a lone gunman and was shot as he tried to run away.

The killer then fled along a footpath.

Mr Brace, who believed Mr Powell had two or three children, said he would certainly try to attend Mr Powell's funeral.

Anyone who can help police with the investigation should contact the incident room on 020 8733 4704, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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