Vigil held in Hackney for Islington shooting victim Joseph Burke-Monerville

Syma Mohammed, Reporter Tuesday, February 26, 2013
1:01 PM

Around 90 people attended a vigil held in memory of teenager Joseph Burke-Monerville on Saturday, a week after he was gunned down in a case of suspected mistaken identity.

Joseph Burke-Monnerville's mother Linda holds flowers at a vigil in Hackney on Saturday, a week after he was gunned down in Clapton. Photo by Dieter Perry

The vigil in Clapton was organised by Father Rob, of St-John-at-Hackney church, in conjunction with Mr Burke-Monerville’s family and took place on the corner of Hindrey Road and Clarence Road. Mr Burke-Monerville’s parents, who he lived with in Canonbury, were in attendance.

Father Rob said: “The vigil was extremely powerful. Most of it was silent. We gave everybody candles to light. The people there were a mixture of local residents, people from St-John-at-Hackney church and family and friends of Joseph.

“The word vigil means waiting. A family is waiting to have a funeral – it’s not immediate. The local community is waiting for justice – to find out from the police who has been charged.

“When a tragedy like this happens the local community needs to come together and reflect together on what happened.”

Father Rob Wickham leads a vigil for Joseph Burke-Monnerville in Hackney on Saturday, a week after he was gunned down in Clapton. Photo by Dieter Perry

Family and friends went to St-John-at-Hackney church on Lower Clapton Road after the vigil for refreshments.

Mr Burke-Monerville, 19, and his twin brother were in the back of the parked vehicle in Clapton when three shots were fired into it on Saturday, February 16 at around 8.20pm.

Mr Burke-Monerville was rushed to hospital, but died at 11.10pm from a gunshot wound to the head.

His older brother, 22, who was in the front seat, was also shot and he remains in a stable condition. The victim’s twin brother escaped unharmed.

Mourners gathered in a vigil for Joseph Burke-Monnerville in Hackney on Saturday, a week after he was gunned down in Clapton. Photo by Dieter Perry

No arrests have been made, but two suspects, one black and one light-skinned, possibly Asian or Turkish, were seen running from the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.