One dead, one injured as gunman opens fire at pub

ONE man was shot dead and another critically injured when a gunman opened fire on revellers at a public house yesterday.

The killer, who fled into the darkness after blasting both his victims, was being hunted by detectives last night, who said that he escaped in a dark coloured 4x4 vehicle.

The double shooting happened at 5am, as revellers at the Newton Arms public house in Queen's Road, Croydon, Surrey were celebrating the New Year.

One of those shot, a 34-year-old man, was confirmed as dead on arrival at hospital. The second man, aged 26, was said to be in a critical but stable condition in hospital last night.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said that the suspect who fled was black and that detectives from Operation Trident were investigating the murder.

"We are appealing for witnesses and information after a New Year's Day murder," said the spokesman.

"At around 5am a shooting took place inside the Newton Arms public house which was hosting a private New Year's Eve party.

"The suspect is described as a black male, who made good his escape in what is believed to be a dark coloured 4X4 vehicle.

"An incident room has opened under the direction of Detective Chief Inspector Gordon Allison of Operation Trident. We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who saw the man make his getaway to come forward."

Neither victim has yet been named by police.