Motorbike hitmen shoot father and son

A FATHER was shot dead as he smoked a cigarette outside the shop where he was working and his son was critically injured in a coldblooded gangland-style attack.

Ahmet Paytak, 50, was taking a break near the doorway of the Euro Wine and Food convenience store in Holloway last night. Two men on a motorcycle, their faces covered by crash helmets, are said to have waited in a nearby car park for the best moment to strike. They then rode over, dismounted and fired a volley of shots at Mr Paytak before going inside the shop to shoot his 21-year-old son Huseyin who was rushing out to help.

The father, who worked part-time at the store, is thought to have died instantly at 10.40pm. His son had been visiting him. Mr Paytak's son-in-law Tuncay Ganidagli said the father of three was a respected member of the community.

Mr Ganidagli, 24, said: "Ahmet was outside having a smoke and Huseyin was looking after the till when the motorbike came. The men got off the motorbike and shot Ahmet and then went into the shop and shot Huseyin as he was coming out to defend his dad. It must be a case of mistaken identity." He added that Huseyin was undergoing surgery but was expected to survive. "The whole family is devastated at Ahmet's death. Ahmet was loved and respected by all who knew him." Mr Paytak, who lived in Islington, leaves behind three children, Huseyin, 21, Kemel, 27, and daughter Elif, 25.

Orug Baiutak, 80, Ahmet's father, said: "Why did this happen? They never hurt anybody, we never have a problem with anybody." Police appealed for witnesses to the shooting at the store in Hornsey Road near the junction with Tollington Way. The family are Kurdish and originally from Turkey but had been living in London for 11 years.

Marian Gogo, 29, a church volunteer, who lives in flats overlooking the scene, said the killers had deliberately avoided a rotating CCTV camera. A woman who left flowers at the scene said there had been an altercation in the store earlier in the evening and the two events were linked. Anyone with information should call 020 8345 3734 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.