London Cousins Shot Dead Six Months Apart – Police Beg for Info to Nab Killers
Homicide detectives are hunting killers after two cousins were gunned down in London just six months apart. Cafer Aslan, 54, was shot dead on Westminster Road, Enfield, in August 2017. His cousin, 41-year-old Bulent Kabala, was fatally shot near Edgeworth Road, Barnet, in February 2018. Both men, originally from Turkey, lived in Enfield at their deaths.
Family Tied to Three Fatal Shootings
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, leading Bulent’s case, revealed a chilling family pattern. “The gunmen weren’t the same in each case, but it’s no coincidence that Bulent’s brother was also fatally shot outside a nightclub in Turkey in 2014,” he said. “All three murders happened within a few years – clearly connected contract killings.”
DCI McHugh urged those with information to come forward, dismissing a dangerous code of silence. “People know what happened and who was responsible. Some may have unwittingly helped – stealing number plates or sourcing vehicles. We need that chatter, no matter how small, to break this case wide open.”
How Bulent Was Killed
On the night of February 12, 2018, taxi driver Bulent picked up a fare and entered a roundabout in Barnet. His car was rammed by a stolen Ford Transit van. Bulent stepped out and was blasted four times, including a close-range headshot. The van sped off, but CCTV captured its escape. It was later found abandoned in Pilgrim’s Close.
A 46-year-old man was arrested but released later, keeping the hunt alive. Bulent’s widow, Sevitch, pleaded, “Time hasn’t healed anything. My youngest child was only two when Bulent was killed and knows nothing of his dad. Someone knows something – they must help us get justice.”
Cafer’s Murder: Burning Clues
Six months before Bulent’s death, Cafer Aslan was gunned down in Enfield. The killer used a grey Audi Q5, registered in 2015, which was torched 40 minutes after the shooting. Police want to speak to a man spotted on CCTV carrying petrol cans near Henley Road on the murder day. The stolen Audi was parked nearby for two days before the killing.
Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith heads Cafer’s investigation. “We need anyone who saw these vehicles or recognises the man on CCTV to contact us,” he said. A set of tools found in the suspect’s van is also key – “Did you or someone you know have these stolen recently?”
£20,000 Reward and a Call to Community
Police are offering a hefty £20,000 reward for info leading to arrests and convictions. DCI McHugh urged members of the Turkish community to step up, saying, “Loyalty shouldn’t protect killers. If you know something, this is your chance to set things right and bring peace to this grieving family.”
If you have any information:
- Call the Cafer Aslan incident room on 0208 345 3985
- Call the Bulent Kabala incident room on 0208 785 8099
Come forward – even a tiny lead could crack these cold-blooded murders wide open.
