DETECTIVES hunting the killers of Reece James Menzies have made a major breakthrough in the case, the Daily Echo can reveal.

They have identified a car seen in the area of the gang land “execution-style” killing and are calling on the public to help them identify the vehicle and its occupants.

New father Reece, aged 21, from London, was shot in the face at his flat at the junction of Roumelia Lane and Sea Road in Boscombe after three intruders entered his home at around 2.15am on Wednesday July 25.

A silver Audi A3 saloon was captured on CCTV travelling from nearby Christchurch Road into St John’s Road towards the scene of the murder at around 1.30am.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Connolly, who is heading the investigation, said: “We believe that the people in this Audi A3 may have important information regarding Reece’s death and, as such, we are treating this as a major breakthrough as we work to identify his killers.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw this vehicle in the Boscombe area during the early hours of Wednesday July 25 to contact us.

“I need to identify the car’s registration number, the owner of the car and, most importantly, the occupants within the car.”

Following the murder, three men were seen to run from Roumelia Lane into Sea Road in the direction of the sea. All three were wearing dark coloured hooded tops and at least one was wearing a balaclava.

DCI Connolly, of Dorset’s Major Crime Investigation Team, added: “I still consider Reece’s murder to be a premeditated, well organised and targeted attack by armed and dangerous offenders.

“The motive for this attack, as I have said before, is still not known, but I am sure that someone out there knows the identities of the offenders and I would urge them to do the right thing and speak with us. Any information will be treated confidentially.”

 

As a result of a previous appeal, a vehicle seen in the area of Roumelia Lane has been eliminated from the enquiry. Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 25:046 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

In an exclusive interview earlier this month, Reece’s mother Michelle James said she believes the people of Boscombe hold vital information about her son’s murder and appealed for them to come forward.

She described Reece as a “loving son” who had welcomed his baby daughter Takayla into the world on May 12 with his girlfriend.