AN inquest into the death of a man who was shot during an “altercation” at a petrol station has been opened and adjourned.

Former William De Ferrers pupil, John Pordage, 35, was shot in the chest during an incident at the BP garage, in Baddow Road, Galleywood, at about 2.10am on August 5.

Police are still hunting for a teenager wanted in connection with the shooting after carrying out yet another armed raid in Chelmsford on Tuesday evening.

Coroner’s officer Lynsey King opened the inquest on Wednesday. She said: “The gentleman was sadly pronounced deceased at Broomfield Hospital following an altercation at a petrol station.

“A post mortem was carried out and a provisional cause of death was given as a gunshot wound to the chest. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Senior Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray did not set a date for a full inquest. She said: “The senior investigating officer in this matter is keeping me fully updated, which is very important. I am releasing the body.”

Mr Pordage, 34, grew up in South Woodham Ferrers but was living in Galleywood.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with his murder.

Saul Stanley, 18, of no fixed address, has been charged with four firearms offences and handling stolen goods.

Police are still looking for 17-year-old Bradley Blundell. He is 5ft 11ins tall and of slim build. He has links to Chelmsford and Great Baddow but may be in the Norwich area.

On Tuesday, armed officers besieged a house in Main Road, Boreham, as part of the search for Blundell.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 15, officers carried out a search of the Main Road area of Boreham.  The search was related to the ongoing Chelmsford murder investigation.

“No arrests were made. The appeal is still relevant.”

Det Chief Insp Martin Pasmore, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, previously said Blundell is “dangerous” and warned the public not to approach him.

He added: “Anybody who is found to be assisting those involved in Mr Pordage’s murder in any way will be subject of a thorough investigation and could find themselves prosecuted for assisting an offender.”

Mr Pasmore said anyone with information about Blundell’s whereabouts should call 999.

A 22-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, both from Chelmsford, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released under investigation.

An 18-year-old man from the Billericay area was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and released under investigation.