A woman killed in a “truly shocking” triple shooting outside a Harlesden church has been named and revealed to be among mourners at a wake as another victim fights for his life.
Michelle Sadio, 46, was named by police on Monday as the woman shot dead in the “heinous act of violence”, which also left two men injured, as a murder investigation was launched.
Local residents told of seeing “bodies on the ground” and hearing “crying and screaming” amid the “pandemonium” on Gifford Road in Brent, north-west London, on Saturday night.
Pastor Lawrence Larbie, head of the the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, said there was a wake going on inside the church at the time of the “evil” fatal shooting, with the victims being among the mourners who had come to attend.
The wake was due to end just before 10pm, but at around 9.15pm, he said people began running into the building saying “there’s been a shooting, there’s been a shooting”, as it is believed gunshots were fired at the gathering from inside a passing car.
Mr Larbie told MyLondon: “The whole place was surrounded by police. One person shot in the back, we heard. People tended to them before the ambulance arrived. The car just drove through.
“The victims were people attending the wake. They were probably on their way home.
“It’s shocking. We are really devastated. You are invited to attend the wake and you end up deceased. You’re killed. You’re gone. You’re life is expired just like that.
“It was pandemonium in the building. They came with very deadly, evil intentions to cause death.
“We are just praying for peace on our streets and people should not be afraid. We pray they will apprehend them.”
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene at around 9.15pm.
A woman, aged in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Formal identification has not taken place, but the force said they are confident the victim is Ms Sadio.
Two men, both aged in their 30s were also injured in the attack. One is in hospital in a critical condition, while the second man’s injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
A neighbour, who on lives on Gifford Road, said they heard “crying and screaming” as people ran out of the church to tend to the victims.
The neighbour said: “We heard the shooting sound and we thought it was fireworks, we didn’t expect there would be a gun here.
“People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.”
Another resident of Gifford Road said: “My daughter came though the door 10 minutes before it happened.
“My son thought there were fireworks, then I heard my neighbour screaming and I realised there was a shooting.
“It’s crazy, it’s sad. It’s scary, it does not feel safe.
“I’ve lived here since 2008 and I’ve never heard anything like this before.”
A resident of Creukhorne Road said they heard five gun shots in a row on Saturday night.
Seven officers and a team from the Met’s forensic services crime scene investigation unit were at the scene on Sunday.
Road closures remained in place on Monday.
There have been no arrests and the investigation into the fatal shooting continues.
Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit, which covers Brent, said: “This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.
“I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.
“If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC, quoting CAD7137/14Dec. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
