Murder at the carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival ended in violence after a man was shot dead at point-blank range outside a Tube station.

Witnesses said crowds scattered as "three huge bangs" were heard just 100 yards from Kensal Green rail and Tube station in north London.

Terrified party-goers who had been dancing in the street were left screaming as they fled the scene of the shooting, which is on the edge of the Carnival celebrations in West London.

One witness said: "Everyone was just partying, having a good time, dancing in the streets. The guy was right in the middle of the party and this bloke just came up to him and shot him at pointblank range."

The gunman, thought to be in his 40s, opened fire after a dispute during a party on a green opposite the station on Harrow Road. The argument then continued along the street to Hazel Road.

Another man said: "It was chaos. All of a sudden everyone started pushing and screaming, no one knew what was going on."

Police were called after reports that a man was seriously injured after being shot. The victim, in his 20s, suffered a single fatal wound.

Paramedics took the victim, who has not been identified, to the Central Middlesex Hospital but doctors there were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead 45 minutes later. Detectives from the Carnival Major Incident Team are investigating the shooting with officers from Operation Trident, which deals with black-on-black shootings.

More than 750,000 attended the carnivalover the bank holiday to mark its 40th anniversary.

There were a total of 114 arrests over the two days, one of the lowest number of arrests in recent years.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve House said: "We have officers dealing with a death outside of the Carnival area after the event had closed.

"It is inevitable that this tragic event will cast a shadow over the Carnival.

"However, thousands of people attended what was an otherwise highly enjoyable celebration of vibrant costumes, music and dancing and all parties agreed that this was an extremely good natured event."

? A total of 28 arrests stemming from police intelligence were made earlier in the day.

A gang of 60 youths, many armed with knives and body armour, were stopped at 2.45pm on their way to the carnival at Mile End Tube station. Eight of the gang were arrested, with more knives found on the streets where the gang was searched.

Chief Inspector Wayne Mawson of the Metropolitan Police said: "The most worrying aspect of this group was that they were wearing body armour, indicating they intended to do something quite serious. Thankfully this was averted by good police intelligence."

Three other men were arrested later in the afternoon in Belgravia, one on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

Officers believe they were making their way to the Carnival.