Witnesses have described the "chaos" after six people, including two young girls, were injured in a drive-by shooting outside a London church. Emergency services raced to St Aloysius Church in Euston, North London, at roughly 1.30pm on Saturday, January 14, where a funeral was reportedly being held.
Metropolitan Police confirmed that four women and two girls, aged seven and 12, were injured after the gunman fired into a group of mourners standing outside the church.
The seven-year-old victim is currently fighting for her life, the Mirror reports. A Met spokesperson said: "She remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition."
The four women - aged 21, 48, 54 and 41 - were rushed to Central London Hospital, with the 48-year-old having sustained potentially life-changing injuries. Thankfully, none are thought to have injuries that are critical.
The other young girl, aged 12, suffered a minor leg injury but has since been discharged from hospital, police confirmed on Saturday evening.
At the time of the shooting, a joint funeral was being held for Fresia Calderon, 50, and her 20-year-old daughter Sara Sanchez, witnesses said. The two women tragically passed away with a month of each other.
Fresia collapsed and died at Heathrow Airport in November, with Sara sadly passing away just 25 days later from leukemia, which she was diagnosed with before her mother's death. Fresia has been flying back from Colombia when she collapsed shortly after the plane touched down. Emergency services were unable to revive her and she died at the scene.
Doctors believe her death was caused by a pulmonary embolism, a rare blood clot that usually starts in the legs before travelling to an artery in the lungs. A family member said Sara, who was received her leukemia diagnosis aged 17, "gave up all hope" following her mum's sudden death.
Early investigations into the shooting suggest the gunman fired from a passing vehicle, with witnesses saying the congregation has moved outside to watch a dove release when the attack took place. Speaking to MyLondon, Jaouida Ifghallal said: "When the service finished, we were outside to see the flying of doves. A black car came and started to shot bullets. It was chaotic!"
Several police units remained on Phoenix Road where the shooting occurred. Father Jeremy Trood, of St Aloysius church, said: "I heard a big bang and police are in the church at moment. People who were leaving the church have rushed back in."
One witness, who was in the church at the time, described the horrific scenes after the gunman opened fire. They said: "No one knew if it was a bomb or gunman. We were looking for places to hide. We all just snuggled into corners where we could. We left after about 10 minutes, I did not dare [leave before]. It was not nice."
A Met spokesperson said: "An urgent investigation is under way and details of the incident are still emerging. At this early stage there have been no arrests. The incident took place in the vicinity of a church where a funeral was taking place. Initial enquiries suggest the shots were fired from a moving vehicle which was then driven away from the scene."
Superintendent Ed Wells 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. Our thoughts are with all the victims, but in particular with the seven-year-old girl, who is in a life-threatening condition and with her family.
“An investigation into this dreadful attack is already well under way involving local officers and specialist detectives. I can assure the communities of Camden and beyond that we will do everything we possibly can to identify and bring to justice those who were responsible.
“Local residents can expect to see an increased visible police presence in the area through the weekend and into the days ahead as we progress this investigation. I would urge anyone with information to come forward, either to the police or anonymously, to Crimestoppers.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he is in close contact with police. He said: “This is a deeply distressing incident and my thoughts are with those who were injured and their families. A police investigation is now under way and I am in close contact with the Met Police to determine what happened.”
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