A DETECTIVE investigating the brutal murder of Brentford man Dean Tully has admitted his killer is unlikely to be caught in the 'foreseeable future'.
Speaking at the inquest into the 37-year-old's death this week, Detective Sergeant Steve Foxley of the Serious Crime Command, said no one is prepared to identify the 'mastermind' behind the shooting, despite police having a good idea of the motive and possible groups involved.
Officers remain convinced that warfare between rival drug gangs on the Haverfield Estate, was the reason for the two men bursting into the Fraser House flat and spraying the room with bullets on January 25 2007.
However, despite a number of arrests related to Class A drug dealing following a police operation at the end of 2007, gangs have remained tight lipped with information about the shooting that killed Mr Tully, and saw another man injured.
"Drugs were being dealt from the premises by dealers who were new to the estate and were trying to usurp the current dealers, we believe this was the motive behind the shooting," said Det Sgt Foxley at the inquest on Tuesday.
"There was a previous incident where there had been a fight between the two drug dealing gangs which ended in the old firm being alienated from the estate by the new people. A number of people have been arrested from this group of drug dealers but unfortunately there is never enough evidence for a prosecution to take place."
Mr Tully, whose son was just 11 when he died, was shot by two balaclava-wearing intruders at 9.22pm and pronounced dead at the scene.
There were another nine people in the two bedroom flat at the time and it's not thought Mr Tully was deliberately targeted.
Det Sgt Foxley revealed that the only evidence officers have to go on, was one boot mark found in the Green Dragon Lane flat, 'incredibly poor' CCTV footage from around the estate and the Czech Republic CZ25 sub-machine gun which killed Mr Tully.
Officers recovered the weapon from an elderly lady's bin in December last year, after a gang of men were seen waving it around a Streatham night club.
"We could not find any connection between them and the drug dealers on the estate though," said Det Sgt Foxley. "It's very frustrating that out of everyone we arrested on the drug operation, no one was prepared to give us anything.
"The investigation will remain on-going until there's a conclusion."
West London coroner Alison Thompson found the death of Mr Tully to be an unlawful killing.
Police are still offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible. Call the incident room on 020 8721 4155 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
