Police believe mobile phone footage could hold the key to solving the murder of father-of-four shot dead at the height of the 2011 riots.

Trevor Ellis, 26, was found slumped in a car in Duppas Hill Road on August 8 following a high-speed chase along the Croydon flyover while looters rampaged through the town centre.

He had been shot in the head and died the next day in hospital.

His mother, Joy Sanderson, today spoke again of her devastation as police renewed an appeal to find Mr Ellis's killers, who have still not been brought to justice despite detectives arresting 13 men in the last three years.

She said: "It's been two years and seven months since the murder of my son. I never thought in a million years that I would get that dreaded phone call, or the knock on the door, to say that your son has been shot dead.

"Nothing can explain that moment in time. I kept asking ‘why?’ and felt utter disbelief at his brutal murder."

The Metropolitan Police is offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the murder.

Despite numerous appeals since his death no one has come forward with any information to assist the investigation.

Detectives are also appealing to anyone who may still have video footage of the events in Croydon from the night of 8 August 2011, to consider if they may captured anything which could help to identify the father-of-four’s killer(s).

They say Mr Ellis had travelled to Croydon in a black Ford Fiesta earlier on 8 August 2011 in the company of a group of friends.

They parked in Scarbrook Road where is believed another group of approximately nine individuals were also parked.

At some point an altercation between the groups took place and culminated in a vehicle chase involving the car Mr Ellis was travelling in and two others; believed to be a Silver Peugeot 308 and a black Vauxhall Astra.

Eventually the cars passed along theA232 flyover into Duppas Hill Road where the Fiesta containing Mr Ellis was boxed in by the other two vehicles. Then it is believed a black male holding a handgun got out of the black Vauxhall Astra, approached the Ford Fiesta and shot Mr Ellis in the head.

Your Local Guardian: Trevor Ellis in hospital

Trevor Ellis fighting for his life in hospital after his shooting

DCI Diane Tudway, Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Trevor Ellis’ family not only have to suffer the continued grief of losing their loved one in such a violent manner but they also have to deal with the frustration that there probably are a number of individuals out there who know who shot Trevor, but have not come forward and spoken to the police."

Ms Sanderson spoke of the importance of the people who know who is responsible for Mr Ellis's murder coming forward.

She said: "Trevor’s murder was even harder because this all happened when all the rioting was going on, the murderer made my sons life insignificant."

"His life has not been portrayed as important as the building and material things, things that in time to come can be replaced."

"Some people have said that it serves him right for being out there, if only he had said no to his 'friends' for picking him up and diverting him from his way home."

"But no matter where he was that does not give anyone the right to take his life. For many he is only just another black man taken off the streets. "

"Thanks to the murderers there’s no need for racist killings, because we are killing ourselves and all they have to do is sit back and watch us kill each other."

Your Local Guardian: A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Trevor Ellis in Croydon during rioting

Trevor Ellis

"How can you live with yourselves knowing that you have killed someone, taking a life that’s not yours to take? Why?"

"I know on that awful night of my son’s murder it was witnessed by three car loads of people. What are you all doing by keeping you mouths shut?

"You are all no better than the murderers; he could have been your family member. You have destroyed many lives, taking him away from his children, family and everyone who loved him."

"It's impossible for me to tell his children that in time we can rebuild him back, there is no hope or possibility of ever seeing their father again, no amount of money in the world can bring him back."

"I wish to appeal to anyone who was there on that night, who might have seen something before, during or after Trevor’s murder to please come forward and help take these people off the streets."

Anyone with information relating to any aspect of the incident is asked to call the incident room on 0208 721 4005. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


TODAY'S TOP STORIES