Bernadette Nairn, 48, and daughter Jessica Nairn, 13, were shot dead after a “troubled” neighbour opened fire. No arrests were made following the attack. Mrs Nairn was the aunt of one of the couple’s two children, who grew up, according to neighbours, in a different area of London.

The attack was described by neighbours who said that the family had always come out together on Sundays. Her sister’s boyfriend described the couple as “very friendly and normal”.

Mr Sowden, 50, said: “It seems to me that they just didn’t belong on the streets. You can come out and get a bit of a laugh but they didn’t want to be known as the nice family. I don’t think they even had children like the couple.”

He added: “I’m shocked that he just fired into the air, especially as this happened on a Sunday. Why didn’t they just call the police? The local council will get behind this family, I’m sure.”

The neighbour was not known to police. Mr Sowden was also shocked to learn of the shooting.

He said: “From talking to everyone, no-one had heard a noise around the house. It comes as no surprise that he opened fire. This is clearly an isolated incident.”

Additional reporting by Press Association