Detectives issue ‘all ports alert’ in Hove murder hunt

Detectives investigating a murder in Hove have issued an “all ports alert”, saying that they have identified a man they wish to interview.

They have not named the suspect but said that the victim was 31-year-old Albanian scaffolder Xhem Krasniqi, from Kent.

He was visiting family in Brighton with his wife and two children when he was shot in Church Road on Saturday night (18 May).

Sussex Police said that detectives are confident that they know who was involved in the murder.

Two other men were targeted and police said that they regard the firing of the other shots as two cases of attempted murder.

The gunman was walking towards the three men, including Mr Krasniqi, in Church Road, by the junction with Selborne Road, when he opened fire.

Mr Krasniqi was hit in the torso and later died in hospital. The two other men were not injured.

Sussex Police said: “We believe a pistol, which has not been recovered, fired at least three shots at the men, who are all Albanian.”

Post-mortem tests were taking place yesterday (Monday 20 May) which involved a ballistics expert helping as part of the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Riley, from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, is now leading the investigation.

He said: “The shooting took place in a busy road and witnesses have given us valuable information as to what happened.

“We are still piecing together all the evidence but we have identified a man we would very much like to talk to in relation to this incident.

“We will not be publicising his name at this time but be assured that we are make every effort to trace him and all ports have been informed should he try to leave the country.

“We believe there is a link between this man and the group of three men and this forms a key line of our inquiry.

“One scenario is that the group and the offender may have agreed to meet but we are open-minded about this and as to the motive.

“This is not gang-related and there is no suggestion that the group of three men was part of any criminal group.

“The man who tragically died has been identified as Xhem Krasniqi, aged 31, a scaffolder who lived in Kent.

“He had gone to Brighton that day with his wife and two young children to visit family.

“This was a dreadful incident and his family, as you can imagine, are distraught.

“We are working closely with them and we are offering them all support through dedicated family liaison officers.”