Young martial arts expert shot dead on London doorstep ‘may have been the victim of mistaken identity’
Jordan Bari, 20, was gunned down at point blank range as he opened the door to a friend's flat in East London
A YOUNG martial arts expert shot dead on the doorstep of a friend's flat may have been the victim of mistaken identity, it was claimed today.
Jordan Bari, 20, was gunned down at point blank range as he answered the door in Bethnal Green, East London, just after 8pm on Monday.
Armed officers called to the scene found him collapsed in a pool of blood in the stairwell. He was pronounced dead 45 minutes later.
Jordan was a black-belt in taekwondo and had won a number of trophies and titles for the prestigious Gurumu Taekwondo Club, whose members have represented Team GB at the Olympics.
He switched to taekwondo after excelling as a teenager at the Korean martial art tang soo do.
His former coach at the London Blackbelt Academy in Newham said he was among the best young fighters in Britain.
Fifth dan master Kieran Mackey, who had trained Jordan from the ages of seven to 17, : “It’s absolutely tragic. He was a lovely lad and an exceptionally talented martial artist.
“He competed in tournaments all over Britain and won loads of titles.
“He was a nice, kind person, he trained hard and got on with things. I can’t imagine him being caught up in anything bad. It’s a complete shock.”
Detectives were today trying to establish a motive for the killing of the popular and talented martial arts enthusiast.
One neighbour said the victim had been staying at the flat but did not live there.
Residents described hearing a gunshot echoing around the communal hallway of the block in Florida Street.
Jackie Boxall was watching television when she heard a “big bang”.
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She said: “It sounded like someone had chucked something off the roof. There was loud banging on our door but I was too scared to open it.
“I looked down from the balcony and saw we were surrounded by police. A neighbour told us there’d been a murder down there.”
Another resident, Mahbub Hussain, 33, said: “There was blood all over the stairs.
"There’s normally someone shouting in our block but there was no arguing - just a bang.”
Last night forensic officers were searching the flat and the courtyard outside and a silver Vauxhall Zafira and blue saloon car parked in the drive.
Jordan's mother Lisa Bari is the founder of the East Village Nursery in Newham and chair of her local residents’ association.
A cousin who answered the door at relatives' hom in Poplar said the family were struggling to come to terms with what happened, saying: “We can’t deal with this right now.”
Friends paid tribute to the young victim on social media.
Marti Tomlin said: "Never thought it would be this hard to say goodbye to you. I thought I would have a lot of years left with you in my life but you left so soon.
"But during those 20 years you achieved so much and I couldn't be more proud of you. You will always be in my heart."
Recruitment consultant Reise Apaloo-James wrote: “It hurt me to hear this. I remember that joyful smile you always had, always positive, you’re in a better place now bro. God bless your soul.”
Two suspects aged 21 and 29 were arrested on suspicion of murder and later released on bail pending further inquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, appealed for witnesses to come forward.
He said: “At this early stage we are still working to establish the reasons why this young man was killed. If you have any information that could help, please contact us.”
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