The family of Fulham shooting victim Salim Coulter said they will "never come to terms" with the loss of their "kind, loving man" after he died last week.
Traumatised family members shed many tears as they spoke to getwestlondon about the pain of losing their beloved son, cousin and nephew after he was shot on Monday (December 5).
Faouzia Coulter, Salim's mother, wept as she described the last time she saw her son before being told he was not coming home.
She said: "Normally he comes home around 10pm, but that day he didn't come home."
Mother Faouzia Coulter talks to getwestlondon about the moment she found out about her son
Amira Teers, 30, another of Salim's cousins, said: "It makes us look at London differently now."
The family who moved from Malaga, Spain, said they grew up somewhere where they had to occupy themselves and Salim was always "making jokes continuously".
Amira said: "He would find animals who were injured and help them if they were wounded and let them out again - that was our Salim.
"We came here for a better life, for education and we've lived in White city ever since and never had any problems with anyone."
Salim Coulter was shot in the head on Monday December 5 as he sat in the passenger seat of a parked car in Walham Grove, near the junction with North End Road.
At the time, he had visited Jerky Chicken restaurant with a friend.
Saadia Teers, Salim's auntie who lived opposite the family home, said he was in and out of her home and was like another son to her.
The 64-year-old from White City said between tears: "It's just a shock, our Salim, we love him so much."
The quiet neighbourhood was taped off as investigations began
Embracing one another as they talked about him, the family said friends of Salim, a close knit group, have been equally distraught.
"Neighbours from the community were crying, and they've come over to tell us stories about him," said Jasmine.
"We've seen a different side to him hearing their stories, he was always trying to do the right thing, he was against violence."
It was the second shooting in west London in a week after a 21-year-old man was shot on the streets of Kilburn High Road on Thursday, December 9.
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of the Homicide and Major Crime Unit at the Metropolitan Police, said it is a rare crime for an otherwise quiet area, and criminal circles would have heard who is responsible.
Investigating officers have arrested two people, a 29-year-old on suspicion of murder and a woman, aged 27, on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Anyone with more information should call the Metropolitan Police on 0208 785 8099.
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