A witness has described hearing two "loud pops" near the scene of south London's latest gun murder.

Police say a man in his twenties was gunned down in Balham at around 10.50pm on Thursday night (June 17).

He was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Deeply saddened by the fatal shooting in Balham last night.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Bedford Hill area shortly before 11pm to please come forward with any information.

My thoughts are with the family and friends at this devastating time. https://t.co/payMqkOg57

— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan 💙 (@DrRosena) June 18, 2021

A local resident, who wished not to be named, said: "I heard two pops that made my dog jump up.

"I came out and looked up the street, but didn't see anything.

"All I heard was two shots. The dog was very animated by the sound."

She added: "That's not the first time something has happened here - three or four years ago there was a drive-by shooting incident.

"And then two years ago there was an acid attack and stabbing.

"There's a lot of movement in and out and lots of noise issues. It's a housing association property. There's high turnover.

"At one point two summers ago they had an illegal nightclub there. The music was really loud. It is a source of deep disquiet and discomfort.

"Somebody last night said it was a halfway house. It's awful that someone's lost their life."

Today forensics investigators, wearing blue boiler suits, were conducting a fingertip search at the scene.

They were concentrating on the driveway of a residential address, believed by neighbours to be a half-way house run by a housing association.

The officers also appeared to be searching a vehicle parked on the driveway.

Unformed police stood guard at the edges of a cordon stretching around 200 yards along the road.

Detectives say there have been no arrests, and are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were called at around 10.50pm to reports of a man suffering gunshot injuries in Bedford Hill, Balham.

"Officers and paramedics attended and the man, believed aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital for treatment.

"Despite the best efforts of the emergency services he was pronounced dead at 11.36pm. Next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course."

He added: "Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing and there have been no arrests."