Laverne Forbes

Laverne Forbes and Patrick Smith were killed in front of their 7-year-old daughter at their flat on 25 May 1999.

They lived in a flat in Kessock Close on the Ferry Lane Estate in Tottenham and were both shot in the head as they were having their breakfast.

It was thought that they were shot because Laverne Forbes had seen a Yardie carrying out a drug deal.

Laverne Forbes was confronted first by two men as she was putting the rubbish out at about 9am on 25 May 1999. She ran back into her home, but the men followed her, pushing their way in and shooting her. They then shot Patrick Smith.

It was said that they had both been hit in the head in execution-style shootings.

After they were shot their daughter ran out into the streets screaming:

Both Laverne Forbes and Patrick Smith survived the initial shooting and were air-lifted to the Royal London Hospital, however, Patrick Smith died later evening and Laverne Forbes the next day.

The gunmen were both described as:

• Black.
• About 18-20 years old.
• Around 5ft 10in tall.

The police said that their murders appeared to have been organised. They also said that they were examining a link between their murders and an attack on two men in a car in Acton, west London in which nine shots were fired and a man was killed.