The grieving mother of a teenager shot dead five years ago has urged anyone with information about his killers to come forward.

Samuel Adelagun was just 16 when he and his 15-year-old friend were attacked at the junction of Chesterton Road and Upper Road, Plaistow, in the early hours of October 23, 2010.

Despite police carrying out an extensive investigation into Samuel’s murder and the attempted murder of his friend, nobody has ever been charged.

“Five years ago, a bit of me died as well,” said Ola Shokunbi, who lives in Park Grove, Plaistow.

“I know someone out there knows something.

“I just want people to come forward.”

Samuel was among a group of four walking along Upper Road when two men, said to be dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, appeared behind them and fired four shots.

They sought help at a house in Chesterton Road but Samuel, who was shot in the chest, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His friend, who was shot in the abdomen, made a full recovery.

Mrs Shokunbi said her youngest children still do not know that their big brother was killed.

“I can’t tell them,” she said. “I don’t know how to tell them.”

Officers arrested four men aged between 20 and 23 the month after the shooting but they were released without charge.

The Metropolitan Police has offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person or people responsible for Samuel’s death.

Det Insp Peter Hine, of the Met’s SCO8 Trident Legacy Team, said: “Samuel had everything to live for and his devastated family continues to seek answers.

“Five years on we hope the appeal and the significant £20,000 reward will encourage someone to finally speak to police and end the family’s suffering.”

Anyone with information should contact the incident room at 020 8785 8267 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.