Hackney mayor Jules Pipe speaks out over Shereka Marsh shooting

Schoolgirl Shereka Marsh. Photograph: The Urswick School

The mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, has spoken out on the death of 15 year-old Shereka Fab-Ann Marsh, who died in a shooting in Hackney Wick on Saturday.

In a statement, Mayor Pipe said: “The death of a young person is always devastating, and our sympathies are very much with Shereka’s friends and family.

“This incident has sent shockwaves through the community in Hackney and we are working to support pupils and staff at Urswick, where Shereka was a much valued member of the school.”

“This has highlighted once again the danger that firearms pose to society; put simply, guns ruin lives.”

The shooting took place in a house in Eastway, Hackney Wick. The schoolgirl was pronounced dead at the scene, with a post-mortem giving the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the neck.

A 15 year-old boy was due to appear at Stratford Magistrates court yesterday, charged with Shereka’s murder.

Two 16 year-olds who were also arrested were released without charge on Sunday.