A seven-year-old girl is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a suspected drive-by shooting outside a memorial service in north London, the Metropolitan Police have said. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Phoenix Road, close to Euston station, as mourners were leaving a joint service for a mother and daughter.
A second child, a 12-year-old girl, was taken to hospital with a minor leg injury but has since been discharged. Three women aged 48, 54, and 41 were also injured; the 48-year-old suffered a potentially life-changing injury, while the others are not thought to be in a life-threatening condition. Police later said a 21-year-old woman was also in hospital, awaiting updates on her condition.
The shots are believed to have been fired from a moving vehicle. No arrests have been made. Superintendent Ed Wells of the Met Police said: 'Any shooting incident is unacceptable, but for multiple people, including two children, to be injured in a shooting in the middle of a Saturday afternoon is shocking.'
The memorial was held at St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church for Fresia Calderon, 50, and her daughter Sara Sanchez, 20, who died within 25 days of each other late last year. Father Jeremy Trood, who conducted the service, said he heard shots as mourners began to leave. Witness Jaouida Ifghallal described a black car opening fire on the crowd as they prepared to release doves.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, MP for the area, said he was 'deeply shocked', while London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the incident 'deeply distressing'. Police are urging witnesses to call 101 with reference 3357/14JAN, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
