Detectives hunting the killers of a Wembley man shot dead in Bournemouth last month have made a major breakthrough in the case.

Police investigating the death of Reece James Menzies have identified a car seen in the area of the gangland “execution-style” killing and are calling on the public to help them identify the vehicle and its occupants.

New father Reece, 21, was shot in the face at his flat at the junction of Roumelia Lane and Sea Road in the Boscombe area of the town after three intruders entered his home at around 2.15am on Wednesday July 25.

A silver Audi A3 saloon was captured on CCTV travelling from nearby Christchurch Road into St John’s Road towards the scene of the murder at around 1.30am.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Connolly, of Dorset Police, who is heading the investigation, said: “We believe that the people in this Audi A3 may have important information regarding Reece’s death and, as such, we are treating this as a major breakthrough as we work to identify his killers.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw this vehicle in the Boscombe area during the early hours of Wednesday July 25 to contact us.

“I need to identify the car’s registration number, the owner of the car and, most importantly, the occupants within the car.”

Following the murder, three men were seen to run from Roumelia Lane into Sea Road in the direction of the sea. All three were wearing dark coloured hooded tops and at least one was wearing a balaclava.

DCI Connolly added: “I still consider Reece’s murder to be a premeditated, well organised and targeted attack by armed and dangerous offenders.

“The motive for this attack, as I have said before, is still not known, but I am sure that someone out there knows the identities of the offenders and I would urge them to do the right thing and speak with us. Any information will be treated confidentially.”

As a result of a previous appeal, a vehicle seen in the area of Roumelia Lane has been eliminated from the enquiry.

Reece’s mother, Michelle James, told the Harrow Times last week how her son was a “mummy’s boy” who could not be part of the Church Road Soldiers gang that operates in Harlesden.

She described him as a “loving son” who had welcomed his baby daughter Takayla into the world on May 12 with his girlfriend.

A 22-year-old man who was arrested over the incident has been released on bail pending further inquiries.