A nine-year-old Indian girl was among the four people who were shot in Hackney, London, on Wednesday after gunfire erupted from a passing motorbike. Police said the incident occurred at 9:20 PM on May 29 on Kingsland High Street.
The nine-year-old girl, identified as Lissel Maria from Kerala, was critically injured in a drive-by shooting at the London restaurant where she was dining along with her family.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway expressed deep sadness over the violence, saying that an urgent investigation was underway to apprehend those responsible. The victims, including three men aged 26, 37, and 42, along with the young girl, were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Update following the shooting on Kingsland High Street last night.DCS James Conway : “It saddens me deeply to say that at 9.20 last night, on Kingsland High Street in Hackney, three men and a nine-year-old girl were shot when a firearm was discharged from a motorbike”
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 30, 2024
‘Extremely concerned’
While the conditions of the men are reported as stable, the Indian girl is “fighting for her life,” with her injuries described as potentially life-changing. Detective Conway extended thoughts and support to the girl and her family, stressing that she was an innocent victim of the indiscriminate nature of gun crime.
“I know that local people will be extremely concerned by this incident. We share that concern and an urgent investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend those responsible,” Detective Conway added.
According to authorities, the victims did not appear to have any connection to each other, further highlighting the arbitrary and senseless nature of the attack. Police arrived at the scene within minutes of the shooting, securing two crime scenes at Kingsland High Street and Colvestone Crescent.
At Colvestone Crescent, investigators recovered a stolen motorbike believed to have been used in the shooting, adding a new layer of complexity to the investigation. The Specialist Crime unit has taken charge of the case, with local officers providing support and assistance, the London police said.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities are keeping an open mind as they gather evidence and interview witnesses. Detective Conway urged anyone with information or footage from the area to come forward.
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