One person is fighting for his life in hospital and three others have been injured in a street shooting in Brixton.
Gunshots were fired from a car in the early hours of this morning – with witnesses claiming it took place during a barbecue party when the area was ‘packed’.
Four people were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, including a 25-year-old man who remains in a life-threatening condition, the Metropolitan Police said.
Three others – aged 21, 47 and 70 – suffered injuries not believed to be life threatening or life changing.
No arrests have been made and several police officers could be seen searching an area of grass outside the Southwyck House estate on Coldharbour Lane this evening.
Estate resident Robert, 40, who did not want to give his surname, said the area was filled with people before the shooting.
Pointing at the grassy area, he said: ‘That slice of grass and the concrete is just packed at night, especially on a sunny night, in summer, like absolutely packed with people.’
Robert said he did not see the incident as he was inside all night but added: ‘So I think it happened at the barbecue. It was packed.’
Investigators wearing blue overalls, masks and gloves inspect the scene on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton, south London
Police searching near the scene after four people were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds in Brixton
Police were called just after 1am on Saturday to reports of gunshots fired from a car
Officers have maintained a large cordon on the south London street and the Met said there would be an increased police presence in the coming days
Robert said: ‘I usually feel safe around here, people know each other and get on.
‘There’s been a few stabbings, and one day one gun was caught, but I don’t think anyone’s ever been shot like this.’
Officers were first called to the estate at 1.14am on Saturday after they received reports gunshots had been fired.
They arrived within four minutes and gave first aid alongside paramedics.
Moh John, 45, who works at supermarket Payless Food & Wine on Coldharbour Lane, said people ran into his shop when they heard the gunshots.
Pointing at a shelf near the entrance of the shop, Mr John said: ‘I was putting something there and I heard the noises.’
He added: ‘It was busy, there was a party. I saw the people run away.
‘So, I didn’t know exactly what was going on outside, because I was busy inside, of course, it was quite busy yesterday, so I don’t know.
‘But then I saw the people, some people try to come in the shop and I locked the door.’
He said the people rushing inside the supermarket were ‘scared’, adding he kept the front door locked for ‘some time’ before he reopened it.
Mr John said police had collected the supermarket’s CCTV footage of the incident.
In a video posted online which claimed to depict the Brixton shooting, a man appeared to be receiving CPR on the pavement as police car sirens flashed behind.
He appeared to be lying on the ground next to Coldharbour Lane Open Space, outside the railings of a hand car wash centre opposite Jimmy’s Plaice fish restaurant.
Officers were first called to the estate at 1.14am on Saturday after they received reports gunshots had been fired
An investigator at the cordon outside Mamma Dough pizza restaurant on Coldharbour Lane
A foil blanket, a bicycle, bags and litter were strewn across the area as police inspected it on Saturday
Another man wearing a yellow hat appeared to be receiving medical treatment from paramedics and police officers on a bench nearby.
Police maintained a large cordon on Saturday stretching up to the turning into Gresham Road, businesses told the Daily Mail.
Investigators in blue overalls, masks and gloves inspected debris on the road.
Detective Chief Inspector Allam Bhangoo, who is leading the investigation, called the shooting an ‘act of indiscriminate violence’.
‘We understand how concerning this incident will be for the local community and want to reassure residents that officers are working at pace to identify those responsible.’
The Met said anyone with information was encouraged to come forward and added there would be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.
A force spokesman told the Daily Mail: ‘Police were called at 01:14hrs on Saturday, 2 May, following reports a firearm discharge on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.
‘Officers, including specialist crime officers, were on scene within four minutes and provided emergency first aid alongside the London Ambulance Service.
‘Four people were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. One man, aged 25, remains in a life‑threatening condition.
‘Three others – aged 21, 47 and 70 – were also taken to hospital. Their injuries have been assessed as not life‑threatening or life‑changing.’
