THE usually tranquil heart of the orthodox Jewish community in Golders Green has been rocked by a cold-blooded murder. Armed police stormed a flat in Caroline Court on Highfield Road just before midday on Monday after gunshots were heard. They found the b

THE usually tranquil heart of the orthodox Jewish community in Golders Green has been rocked by a cold-blooded murder.

Armed police stormed a flat in Caroline Court on Highfield Road just before midday on Monday after gunshots were heard.

They found the body of 27-year-old Cima Sogojeva on the floor of his bedsit flat. His killer is still on the run.

Neighbours of the victim, believed to be from Eastern Europe, have been left shocked that such a violent incident could take place in the midst of their community.

"I have lived here for 25 years and this is the first episode like this," said 80-year-old Florrie Scott. "It is very rare, especially here, next to the synagogue.

"This is a Jewish area. They don't commit murder, or have knives. They don't do that. They are very religious people."

A post mortem on Tuesday found Mr Sogojeva died from bullet wounds. Detectives have launched a murder investigation and are keeping an open mind about the killer's motive.

A blue Volkswagen Polo and a black C-class Mercedes, believed to have belonged to the victim, were towed away for examination on Monday night.

Highfield Road remained closed until Tuesday afternoon as police continued their fingertip search of drains and gardens, looking for the murder weapon.

The victim was relatively unknown to most of the residents living in the area.

"One time when I saw him I said hello, just to be polite but he didn't say anything to me. Maybe he wasn't in the mood," said one neighbour who did not want to be named. "He had a disabled badge on his car but as far as I know he wasn't disabled."

While many in Golders Green are still in the dark over how and why a 27-year-old man was murdered on their doorstep, other residents who lived close to Mr Sogojeva's flat were less shocked.

"I always thought something dodgy was going on in that flat. I even told people about it," said one neighbour.

Another said: "There were always arguments and fights over there. And a lot of interesting characters I have never seen around here would visit the flat.

"There was something that didn't always add up. They didn't really fit in around here. I used to say to my wife, don't look over there, it's safer not to look.

"The Jewish community would not get involved with them because they keep themselves to themselves, so why should they get their hands dirty with something that doesn't affect them?

"If there was a drop-out living there, he could feel safe as no-one would confront him."

Forensic officers were still combing Mr Sogojeva's flat for clues yesterday (Wednesday), Officers from the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command have opened an incident room at Colindale under DCI Nicola Wall. Anyone with any information should call 020-8358 0400 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.