Man, 25, dies after being hit by car in Christmas Day ‘attack’ on Shaftesbury Avenue in West End

On By Littum

One of four people were injured when a car plowed into them in the West End Christmas Day is dead in the hospital.

Aidan Chapman, 25, was one of a number of pedestrians hit on Shaftesbury Avenue in the early hours of December 25 when a Mercedes mounted the pavement.

Mr. Chapman died of his injuries on New Year’s Eve, police confirmed Thursday.

His parents said in a statement that his family is “devastated”.

“The loss of our beautiful son is a parent’s worst nightmare, we are absolutely devastated by the loss of Aidan, he enriched everyone’s lives,” they said.

“He was a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him. We, his parents, have lost the best part of ourselves.”

Aidan Chapman, 25, has died in hospital (Met Police/PA) (PA Media)Aidan Chapman, 25, has died in hospital (Met Police/PA) (PA Media)

Aidan Chapman, 25, has died in hospital (Met Police/PA) (PA Media)

Mr. Chapman was among people who were hit by a vehicle on Christmas Day close to the Sondheim Theater in the heart of London West End.

Anthony Gilheaney, 30, originally stayed charged with four counts of attempted murder following the incident.

Gilheaney is said to have been banned from driving before the incident when the four pedestrians were hit.

He was reportedly arrested minutes after the “violent attack“, according to a police spokesman.

The other injured victims were identified as Tyrone Itorho, Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and Miguel Wairich.

The Met Police have since confirmed that Mr. Chapman’s death is treated as a murder.

Forensic investigators gather evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue (PA) (PA Wire)Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue (PA) (PA Wire)

Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue (PA) (PA Wire)

This means that the charge of attempted murder in connection with the death can be updated to murder.

The officers offered their condolences to Mr. Chapman’s family following news of his tragic death, appealed to the public to come forward if they had dash cam footage from the area at the time.

They also confirmed that the incident was not terror-related.

Police have previously said the incident is believed to have started with an “argument” outside a nightclub.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this difficult time,” said Detective Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

“My team continues to carry out investigations to establish all the facts surrounding the circumstances, but this has been confirmed as an isolated incident that is not terrorist related.

The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London after four people were injured (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London after four people were injured (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London after four people were injured (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

“We would appeal to anyone in possession of CCTV or dash cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward, as well as anyone else who may have had contact with the suspect that night.”

Gilheaney, who lives in Longfield in Harlow, Essex, has also been charged with dangerous driving on Fleet Street, also on Christmas Day, and possession of a small knife in nearby Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

He appeared to face all the charges for the first time at Westminster magistrates court on Friday and is due to appear at the Old Bailey later this month.