A "wonderful mother figure" and her nephew were killed during a shooting in East Finchley.

Police were caleld to Elmshurst Crescent since 6.25am this morning (September 15) following reports of two people injured from gunshots from the London Ambulance Service.

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The victims, named locally as mother-of-nine Anny Basala Ekofo, 53, and her 21-year-old nephew Bervil Ekofo (originally reported as Bervely), were both declared dead at the scene.

It is believed they were shot when around five unknown people entered Mrs Ekofo's home this morning and opened fire.

According to Mr Ekofo's sister, Francine, the shooting was gang-related but a case of mistaken identity with neither Mrs Basala or her nephew the intended target.

She said one of Mr Ekofo's cousins was looking for somewhere to stay a few days earlier because they were worried something would happen to them.

Ms Ekofo believed her brother, a psychology student at the University of West London, might have been mistaken for his cousin, named as Cedric by the shooters.

She said: "He has never been in trouble, not at school or anywhere else."

Several family members, including many of Anny’s nine children, were also present and have  now been taken to a police station.

The Congolese family had recently moved to the UK for 'a better life'.

One relative, who did not wish to be named, said: "We think they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"We think someone came to the address looking for someone else and when Anny answered the door, they shot her. We think (Bervil) was in his bed sleeping."

Speaking from the scene, Mr Ekofo's mother said she has lost her "life" and her "best friend".

Maymie Botamba said: "He was my life, they have taken my life away. He was my best friend.

"He was so lovely and kind to everyone, always surrounded by girls. He had never been in trouble before, he had never been in a fight in his life."

Mrs Ekofo's cousin, Fifi Selo, said: "We cannot explain what happened. We don't know if it was because of their colour. It's a shock."

She added that Mrs Ekofo and her husband Jean Pierre had been living in the UK for around 25 years after moving from Congo in central Africa.

Ms Selo, 38, said: "They were an amazing family. Anny was the kind of person who was a mum to everybody. She always brought everybody together.

"They were a nice couple and they had nine children. We don't know where they are."

A crowd gathered outside the crime scene of people who know the victims mourning.

A family friend who asked not to be named said: “This is completely unexpected, they have never shown any indication of worry or danger before.

“Anny has such a big family and she was a wonderful mother figure for many, including her friends.

“I don’t know why this has happened or who has done this but it needs to stop, this senseless violence needs to end.”

Mrs Basala, known affectionately as 'Mamale' was described by another family friend as 'full of joy'.

They said: "She loved music and was always dancing at parties, she loved her family and they loved her.

"What has happened here is unbelievable, you do not expect it to happen in 21st century London at all, something needs to be done to stop these sorts of crimes spreading."

Members of Mr and Mrs Ekofo's family, including Mrs Ekofo's mother and sister from other parts of London, attended the scene.

Another distressed neighbour said: "They were a new family, they had only been here for about three months.

"As a mother I feel so sorry for the family. It's so hard to see another mother like this."

Police have not officially confirmed the identities of Mrs Ekofo or her nephew.

Post-mortem exams will be scheduled and Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Partridge from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) is leading the investigation.

He said: "This is a shocking incident that took place in daylight, albeit in the early hours, and at this early stage in the investigation I am keeping an open mind with regards to a motive for the attack.

"My officers are at the scene working alongside local colleagues and they are speaking to residents seeking information about the events of today.

"It is important that anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the vicinity of the shooting contacts the investigation team as they may hold vital information which could assist us.

"They may not think what they saw or heard was important, but I would appeal for them to come forward and tell us so we can piece together what happened."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.