DETECTIVES investigating the shooting of a doorman more than four years ago have launched a new appeal for information today.

Syed Mehdi, 23, was shot in the chest outside the Blue Ice Bar in Cranbrook Road, Ilford, on March 1 2008 at around 11.30pm.

Mr Mehdi, a Pakistani national living in the Ilford area, died four days later from the injuries he suffered.

CCTV footage of a suspect and three potential witnesses shortly before the shooting has been released by officers in an attempt to gain new information.

The footage shows the suspect walking towards the Blue Ice Bar, stopping three men as they walked along Cranbrook Road towards the train station.

After the shooting the suspect ran off towards Ilford High Street.

The suspect is described as a black male aged between 17 and 25, wearing a grey hooded top, black jeans, black shoes with white laces and carrying a bag across his chest.

DC Jon Williams, investigating officer from Trident said: "It has been more than four years since Mr Mehdi was gunned down in the street and we hope the passage of time may prompt people to now come forward.

"We would like to speak in confidence to anyone with information - no matter how small they may think it is - and we are keen to trace the potential witnesses.

"We would like to reassure these men that they're not in trouble - we would just like to speak to you to see if you have any information that might be useful to us."

A second man was also taken to hospital as he was injured during the shooting, but he was treated and later discharged.

A £20,000 reward for information leading to the indentification, arrest and prosecution of the suspect remains uncollected.

Two men aged 20 and 25 were arrested on suspicion of murder on April 2 2008, but were released wihtout further action.

A third man aged 19 was arrested on July 31 2008 was arrested in connection with the murder, but was released without action.

Anyone with information is asked to please call the Trident incident room on 020 8733 4704 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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