Two teenagers from Worcester Park and Sutton have been arrested this week in connection with the murder of a shopkeeper who was shot dead in his off-licence.

Rajanikanit Pandya, 37, was already dead when police arrived after 9pm last Wednesday at his shop on the corner of Sutton Common Road and Ridge Road.

The father, described by customers as a gentle family man with a smile for everyone, was alone when the two gunmen entered at around 9.10pm. It is understood a bullet fired from a handgun to the chest killed him almost instantly during an attempted armed raid. When armed police arrived, he was dead and was taken to St Helier Hospital. A post mortem was conducted the following day and earlier this week an inquest was opened and adjourned at Croydon Coroners Court.

A 17-year-old from Worcester Park and a 19-year-old from Sutton have both been arrested and are on bail until January while further inquiries take place.

Four additional arrests were made by Sussex Police in Brighton on the morning following the shooting.

These included a 37 and a 31-year-old from the Brighton area who have been bailed to return at a later date. A woman of 32, also from Brighton, was bailed to return in December and a 27-year-old man has been released without charge.

Investigations are being led by Detective Chief Inspector Gary Richardson of the Serious Crime Group in Earlsfield. So far, he has been unavailable for comment, but Scotland Yard is still appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

The killing has left the community around the Sutton Common Road shopping parade reeling.

Sivayoganathan Gabilan, who works in an off licence on the same road, told the Comet: "My uncle was working when it happened. His wife called my uncle saying Somebody shot my husband'. He fell down. He had been shot here," he said, pointing to the right-hand-side of his chest.

One neighbour, who had known him for 10 years, said: "He was a lovely man. One of the nicest blokes I know and very much a family man." Another spoke of how she has been left feeling very afraid. "It's not the kind of thing you expect to happen on your doorstep. I feel frightened because you never know who's carrying guns," she said.

One 16 year old from Sutton Common Road said: "He was so nice, he used to give me food for free when I didn't have any money."

A police source denied rumours that Mr Pandya was shot after refusing to sell alcohol to drunk and armed underage youths, saying early findings all pointed towards an armed robbery.

Anyone with information can call DCI Richardson on 020 8247 8275.

December 7, 2001 12:01