Girl, 9, left ‘fighting for life’ after shooting in Dalston

Chief Superintendent James Conway (right) with Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley. Photograph: Met Police

A nine-year-old girl is in a critical condition after she and three men were injured in a drive-by shooting on Kingsland High Street.

The girl is “fighting for her life” after bullets were fired into Evin restaurant from a man on what is believed to be a stolen motorbike at 9.20pm last night, Chief Superintendent James Conway of the Metropolitan Police said.

The three men, aged 26, 37 and 42, were sitting outside the restaurant when they sustained their injuries – which were said to be “life-changing” for one of them.

The injured girl and the group of men are not believed to be known to each other.

Conway said there were two crime scenes – one where the shooting had happened and another at Colvestone Crescent in Dalston, where the motorbike was recovered.

Officers are “keeping an open mind” as to the motive, he said.

“As with any child, she was an innocent victim of the indiscriminate nature of gun crime,” Conway continued.

“Events such as these are rarely spontaneous. Someone knows who is responsible for this shooting that has left a little girl fighting for her life.”

Eyewitnesses told the BBC: “People were screaming in the café, there were a lot of people lying on the floor.”

In a statement to the Citizen, Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley said: “This was a shocking attack, and my thoughts are with those affected and their families.

“I understand the deep concern that will be felt across Dalston, and we will be here to support the community as more details emerge.

“We are now closely supporting the police’s investigation. This incident took place in a busy part of our borough, and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward.”

Conway said: “We are keen to identify other witnesses who were in the area around the scene at the time of the shooting.”

He urged people who were “in the Kingsland High Street area at the time of the shooting and have information or footage from a phone or other device” to share it with the police.

Anyone with information that can help police should call 101 or post @MetCC reference CAD 8082/29May.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.