Hunt continues for motorbike gunman as girl, 9, remains in critical condition following drive-by shooting in Hackney
31 May 2024, 14:38 | Updated: 31 May 2024, 16:53
The hunt is continuing for a gunman after a firearm was discharged outside a restaurant in Hackney, east London, on Wednesday evening - injuring four, including a child.
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The nine-year-old girl, who was having dinner with her family, remains in a critical condition in hospital following the "appalling" incident on Kingsland High Street.
Two other men aged 44 and 42 remain in hospital in a stable condition, with one facing life-changing injuries.
The third man – aged 37 – has been discharged from hospital.
So far, no one has been arrested.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said the bike, which has since been recovered, was a Ducati Monster with a white body, red chassis and red wheels.
The motorbike had been reported stolen from outside a property in the Wembley area of London in 2021 and at the time of the shooting had the registration plate DP21 0XY.
Mr Conway appealed for anyone who has information on the bike to come forward, adding: "There are people out there who may know something that may be crucial to our investigation".
Mr Conway described the shooting as "reckless" and appealed to the Turkish and Kurdish communities in north and east London because the three men injured in the incident "have connections to those communities".
He said: "This shocking attack will have had an element of pre-planning.
"This means there are people out there who know something which may be crucial to our investigation.
"Gun crime has no place on the streets of London and this reckless act has left a young child fighting for her life.
"We are specifically reaching out to our Turkish and Kurdish communities, particularly in north and east London, who I know are shocked and appalled by this crime.
"This is because the three men who were shot have connections to those communities."
Erim Metto, CEO of the Turkish Cypriot Association, added: “As a community we are shocked by the incident that occurred at a restaurant in Hackney which has led to four people being shot, including a young child.
“We urge anyone from the Turkish and Kurdish communities that may have any information to come forward and speak to police.
“If you do not feel comfortable to speak with police directly, you may do so through your community leaders, your faith leaders, Turkish Police Association or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
“We as a community stand against violence and gun crime.”
'Senseless'
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has described the attack as senseless.
Home Secretary James Cleverly told LBC: "It’s an evolving situation, I’m not comfortable going into details but clearly my thoughts are with those who have been hurt, including the little girl. I will continue to be updated."
Home Secretary reacts to Hackney shooting
