Family raise £5,000 for lasting tribute to Balham dad who was gunned down on his doorstep on Thursday
EXCLUSIVE
Friends and family of a father gunned down on his own doorstep have raised almost £5,000 for his funeral expenses.
Matthias Poleon, 27, was ‘brutally’ shot in the chest and left to die by masked shooters who sped off in a car as witnesses reacted with horror, at around 11pm on Thursday.
His relatives and mates visited his home in Bedford Hill, near the junction with Ritherdon Road, pictured, to mourn together in the next few days – and have now raised close to the £5,000 target for his burial costs.
Some have donated up to £300 to reach the total, with more than 92 people contributing.
Fundraiser organiser Filipe R said: “Matthias Poleon was a Father, Brother, Son, Cousin and a Uncle who will sadly be missed.
“A guy that has touched the hearts of many and will be missed by everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him!
“We are setting up this go fund me to help his family with funeral costs and anything else they may need the money is to help them get through this awful time!
“Rest in peace Matthias Poleon, we will miss you dearly.”
Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, leading the investigation, said: “Matthias was leaving his home address when he was set upon without warning by at two suspects wearing face masks who fired at him and and then fled the scene in a silver hatchback vehicle – possibly a Peugeot, or a VW Golf – in the direction of Balham town centre.
“I implore anyone who saw a suspicious vehicle in the area around of the time of the incident to contact us.
“Matthias was horrifically and brutally shot at his front door and left to die in the doorway.
“His friends and members of the public came to his aid in a bid to save his life, but his injuries were too great.
“The people responsible for this needless loss of life are violent criminals and must be apprehended.
“If you have dash cam footage, doorbell footage, or saw anything that you think might assist police, you must tell us; the slightest piece of information could prove crucial in helping us catch two dangerous offenders who have access to a firearm.
“Matthias’ family are at the beginning of an incredible ordeal.
“Think of their grieving, think of their suffering, and please do the right thing and tell police what you know.”
Police were called at approximately 10.50pm on June 17, to reports of a man suffering gunshot injuries in Bedford Hill.
Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and Matthias was taken to hospital for treatment; despite the best efforts of the emergency services he was pronounced dead at 11.36pm.
A post-mortem examination carried out on Saturday, June 19, gave a cause of Matthias’ death as a gunshot-wound to the chest.
Matthias’ family continued to be supported by specialist officers.
Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing and there have been no arrests.
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 02087858244 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD8915/17June.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
The fundraiser is here: https://gofund.me/5c23dd18
