Plaque unveiled in tribute to 14-year-old murder victim CJ Davis as £20,000 reward remains on offer

Detectives investigating the murder of a teenage boy in Newham more than six years ago are making a new appeal for information, as a plaque is unveiled in his memory.

Corey Junior Davis, known as CJ, was shot dead while with friends in a playground in Moore Walk, Forest Gate, at around 15:00hrs on Monday, 4 September 2017. He died in hospital the following day.

Despite an extensive investigation – and three arrests – nobody has been brought to justice for killing the 14-year-old.

We are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for his murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams, who is leading the investigation, said: “We need a piece of information, we need help from the public that points us in the direction of those responsible for CJ’s murder.

“What we do know is that a Range Rover pulled up nearby, one person got out the driver’s side, approached the group of lads, produced a shotgun and fired two shots, which hit two people. One of which was CJ.

“The car then drove off. There was nothing remarkable, no altercation, no lead up to the attack, which was completely random and unprovoked, it appears, making it all the more dangerous. We’ve never believed it was a targeted attack. We think the area was targeted because people in certain groups hang around those areas, and CJ just happened to be there with some friends.

“There was a group of young people in that car park. it’s inconceivable that nobody has any idea of the identity of who’s responsible. We just need the people that know this information to look into your hearts and conscience, come forward to us in confidence and tell us what you know.

“We have a number of pieces of this jigsaw, we just need some little extra pieces to slot in to help us with our case. As time goes on, allegiances change, I’ve always been of the opinion someone knows something. I urge those people to come forward and tell us know what you know in confidence. £20,000 is a lot of money. It could change someone’s life”.

DCI Whellams joined CJ’s mother, Keisha McLeod, at a memorial event at a youth centre in east London on Thursday, 14 March where a plaque was dedicated to CJ.

Keisha said: “When a child dies, it’s okay to speak. Your conscience would be clean. You'd be able to sleep at night knowing you’ve done justice to a boy who was loving life, putting an end to a family that’s still grieving. We've had no form of justice.”

We are looking for people who have knowledge of who committed the murder to come forward and speak with us, as well as anyone that was at Moore Walk on 4 September.

Those responsible for the murder are thought to have links to the Beckton area.

Additionally, we would like to know whom was using the metallic grey Range Rover, seen travelling east, from the Beckton area, along the Romford Road towards the A406 at around 15:15hrs prior to the shooting, as well anyone who has knowledge of the whereabouts of the Range Rover since the murder.

The Range Rover was stolen from the Balham area two weeks prior to the murder.

Anyone with information that could help detectives is asked to call the investigation team directly on 020 8345 3775.

To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The appeal featured on BBC Crimewatch Live at 09:30hrs on Thursday, 21 March. Crimewatch Live is broadcast on BBC One every weekday at 09:30hrs. The programme is also available on BBC iPlayer for seven days after broadcast