Key Points
- Metropolitan Police have launched an urgent search for 40-year-old Nacoli Bravo from Lewisham in connection with a shooting.
- Shots were fired inside or near the N1 Shopping Centre (Angel Central) in Islington, leading to an immediate emergency response.
- The venue and surrounding access routes from Upper Street and Liverpool Road were cordoned off for approximately 12 hours while forensic officers gathered evidence.
- Detective Chief Inspector John Cowell is leading a fast-moving investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- Police have issued a strict public safety warning advising people not to approach Nacoli Bravo if spotted, but to contact emergency services immediately.
Lewisham (South London News) October 28, 2026 – Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service have launched a major manhunt for a 40-year-old man from South London following a shooting at a prominent Islington shopping destination.
Emergency services were alerted after reports of firearm discharges at the retail complex in North London. Armed officers and local policing units responded swiftly to the scene to secure the area and ensure public safety. Following the gunfire, specialist officers cordoned off the venue alongside adjacent access points along Liverpool Road and Upper Street. The thoroughfare and shopping areas remained completely sealed for approximately 12 hours as forensic collision investigators and crime scene technicians combed the area to gather vital ballistic evidence and track suspect escape routes.
Who Is Nacoli Bravo and Why Are Police Searching for Him?
Detectives leading the manhunt have formally named Nacoli Bravo, 40, from the Lewisham area in South London, as the key suspect wanted in connection with the discharge of the firearm.
Following intensive initial investigations, investigators established a picture of the event, pinpointing Bravo as a person of interest. Detective Chief Inspector John Cowell, who is directing the enquiry, emphasised the urgent nature of the operation:
“This is a fast-moving investigation, and our team have worked tirelessly to build a picture of the incident. We are looking for the public’s help to locate Nacoli Bravo in connection with our ongoing enquiries. If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, please contact police immediately.”
Members of the public who spot Bravo are advised by police commanders not to approach him under any circumstances due to potential risks, but rather to dial 999 immediately. Information regarding his recent movements or current location can also be provided directly to the police by calling 999 or by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference CAD 7386/27OCT.
Background to the Incident
The incident highlights ongoing efforts by the Metropolitan Police to tackle gun crime across Greater London, particularly in dense public commercial corridors such as Upper Street and the historic N1 centre (now Angel Central). Firearms incidents in North London retail districts remain exceptionally rare, triggering extensive multi-agency emergency responses whenever live ammunition is discharged in public places.
The 12-hour closure of major arterial routes like Upper Street and Liverpool Road reflects standard Metropolitan Police forensic procedures in public space shootings, where crime scenes must be methodically mapped and swept for shell casings, biological material, and high-definition CCTV footage before public access can be safely restored.
Predictions: How Will This Development Affect Local Residents and Businesses?
This ongoing police operation and the search for Nacoli Bravo are likely to impact the local community and stakeholders in several key ways:
Community Safety and Public Vigilance
Residents across Lewisham, Islington, and wider London will experience heightened police presence and targeted patrols while the suspect remains at large. The explicit warning for the public not to approach Bravo is likely to elevate local anxiety, leading to increased calls to emergency services as communities monitor public spaces.
Commercial Footfall and Local Economy
The extended 12-hour closure of access routes from Upper Street and Liverpool Road directly interrupted retail operations and evening hospitality trade in one of Islington’s busiest commercial quarters. Business owners along the corridor may see a temporary reduction in customer confidence and footfall while the criminal investigation remains active and high-profile police activity persists.
Transportation and Traffic Disruption
Given that Upper Street serves as a vital North London traffic artery, temporary cordons and secondary forensic checks surrounding the N1 centre disrupt local bus routes, delivery deliveries, and pedestrian transit across the borough, requiring continued cooperation between Transport for London and local policing teams.
