A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a man was shot dead outside a petrol station in Essex.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is suspected of murder, possession of an offensive weapon, handling stolen goods and perverting the course of justice.
He remains in custody ahead of an appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court later.
John Pordage, 34, died after being shot in the chest outside a petrol station in Chelmsford in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police said the victim was with another man, in his 20s, outside a BP garage when a blue Ford Fiesta pulled up shortly after 2am.
“He was shot by an occupant of the car, which drove off,” a spokesperson said.
Mr Pordage, from Galleywood, was taken to hospital where he later died.
On social media, friends paid tribute to electrician Mr Pordage, describing him as a “legend” and a “family man”.
His mother, Sue Wilson, paid described him as someone who was “fun-loving and wore his heart on his sleeve”.
“He was known for his big personality and friendly nature,” she added.
Essex Police are appealing to trace Bradley Blundell, 17, in connection with the murder.
Investigators said he had links to Chelmsford and Great Baddow but may be in the Norwich area.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We consider him to be dangerous and we ask members of the public if you see him, do not approach him but call 999 immediately.“
Police recovered two firearms - a handgun and what is believed to be a shotgun – during searches in the Chelmer Village area of Chelmsford and are investigating whether they were connected to the murder.
Four arrests other arrests have been made by Essex Police have been made in connection with the investigation.
An 18-year-old man from the Billericay area, a 22-year-old man from Chelmsford and a 15-year-old boy from Chelmsford were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender and have been released under investigation.
Anyone with information on Blundell’s whereabouts is asked to call 999 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
