The shooting of an Islington teenager as he sat in a car with his two brothers was a case of mistaken identity, police say.

Joseph 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 night 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 hospital in a serious but stable condition. The victim’s twin brother escaped unharmed.

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

Det Sup Gordon Allison of Operation Trident, which tackles gang-related crime, said: “As far as we’re concerned, this looks like a tragic case of mistaken identity. They have parked just opposite a shop – we believe they were going to go into the shop and make a couple of purchases and then they were going to go home.

“They have been approached by the two suspects, a short conversation has taken place and as a result of that, three shots were fired into the vehicle, resulting in the fatal injury of the victim.”

He added Mr Burke-Monerville’s family is being supported by Scotland Yard.

Lower Clapton Road, together with Upper Clapton Road, became known as Murder Mile after eight men were killed in the area between 1999 and 2001, although the crime rate has drastically dropped in recent years.

Friends have paid tribute to Mr Burke-Manerville on a Facebook page set up in his memory.

One said: “You was so funny. I remember you in primary doing the Micheal Jackson man in the mirror with your bro!” [sic]

Good times. May god rest your soul.”

Another said: “I still don’t understand how this is possible. We love you and will miss you dearly.”

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