A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a shooting in which an eight-year-old girl was seriously hurt has been released on bail.
The child was injured along with her 34-year-old father after a gunman opened fire into their car in Southern Row, Ladbroke Grove, west London, on Sunday evening.
She underwent surgery on Monday and was said to be in a stable condition, while her father has been left with potentially life-changing injuries.
The pair were with her two-year-old sibling and 32-year-old mother, who were both unhurt, at the time of the attack.
Witnesses described the gunman shooting directly into the car, and the harrowing shouts of the girl's mother after the shooting.
The Metropolitan Police said that the suspect, who was held on suspicion of attempted murder on Monday, had been released on bail until early February.
Speaking at the scene of the shooting on Monday, Superintendent Owen Renowden said: “I recognise that any shooting has a traumatic impact on the local community. There will be a continuing presence from our neighbourhood policing teams in the coming days.”
Witnesses told how they heard four shots and a woman shouting: “My baby, my baby’s been shot.”
Armed Met Police officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from the London Ambulance Service at around 5.35pm.
Several roads in Ladbroke Grove and Maida Vale remain cordoned off as forensic teams scour for evidence.
A witness said a man was “shooting directly into a car” in the incident.
Sharon, who was in the area to visit her mother, told the PA news agency: “The guy was shooting directly into a car.
“I was literally coming out of the exit to my mum’s block of flats and as I was going out, I saw a guy shooting into the car multiple times.
“He was firing directly, like at close range as if you’re standing to open a door, they were shooting directly into it.
“I was completely in shock and I just ran back up the stairs because I was really scared.
“Then I looked and I heard screaming afterwards, and then people coming out to call the police.”
Sharon, who did not wish to give her surname, added: “I’ve noticed in the last several years, it has become a lot more unsafe for the people here.”
A witness, 64, told Metro: “I heard shots, and then a woman shouting: ‘My baby, my baby’s been shot… it makes me sick to think about it now.
“There were four or five shots, There was screaming. It’s horrible. A neighbour went out with a duvet to cover the injured.”
Uber driver Ali Hussien, 52, a father-of-five, told the publication: “I heard four or five bangs. I thought it was fireworks.
“There were suddenly police everywhere. Now I know it was a shooting. It’s very scary.
“Especially as I have children. I have a daughter, 9, so I fear for my children. The police do their best but there is a lot of crime.”
Another witness said: “There were about five loud bangs.”
A retail worker, 34, said: “I heard ‘boom, boom, boom, boom’.
“There was a gap between the shots then I heard a scream. It sounded like from a child.”
Last night locals heard a police helicopter flying overhead while other saw multiple police cars with their sirens on racing past for the “last couple of hours”.
Images taken in West Row, Ladbroke Grove, shows the street closed with at least six emergency services vehicles in the area.
Supt Renowden said: “This is an appalling incident that has left two people seriously injured, including a young girl who thankfully is in a stable condition this morning.
“I am appealing to the public who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting.
“Did you hear any gunshots around 5.30pm yesterday evening?
“Did you see anyone fleeing from the area? We are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information surrounding this incident.
“Your information matters, no matter how insignificant you may think it is.”
Scotland Yard said it awaits an update on the condition of the man and girl, but she does not have life-threatening injuries.
Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.
A London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 5.38pm yesterday to reports of an incident in Southern Row, W10.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and members of our Tactical Response Unit.
“The first of our crews arrived in six minutes.
“Our crews treated two patients at the scene, before taking them to a London major trauma centre as a priority.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting CAD5238/24NOV or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
