A child is in serious condition after getting shot during the chaos on the streets of Hackney, east London, last night. Three adults were also injured when someone on a motorcycle opened fire outside a Turkish restaurant around 9:20 pm.
Here are the key details:
- A child and 3 adults were shot and injured
- The incident happened outside a Turkish restaurant in Hackney around 9:20 pm
- Witnesses say the shooter was riding a motorcycle and fired multiple gunshots
- The child remained in serious condition this morning
- No arrests have been made yet
Why did this terrifying shooting take place in a busy London neighborhood? Keep reading to learn more.
What Happened During the Shooting?
The incident occurred on Kingsland High Street in Hackney as people were dining at the local Turkish restaurant. According to witnesses, a motorcycle suddenly drove by, and the rider began shooting randomly.
Joseph Rae, a reporter at the Hackney Gazette newspaper, described the chaotic scene:
“Most people were just dining at 9 pm, trying to enjoy themselves. Then, a motorcycle was seen speeding past, and bullets were sprayed. Maybe 4 or 5 gunshots were heard while people sat in the restaurant.”
One witness was sitting inside the Turkish restaurant when the bullets started flying. He saw a child get shot and at least two men injured as the group was leaving to go home.
A Neighborhood Reacts With Shock
The shooting sparked chaos and disbelief in the typically peaceful Hackney neighborhood. Roads remained blocked off through the night as police investigated what had occurred.
“The child remains in serious condition, and three adults were also injured,” Joseph Rae reported, “One man had a leg wound and used his coat to try stopping the bleeding.”
Descriptions of the aftermath were deeply upsetting. One witness saw the distressed mother looking over her injured child after the shooting.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said the Metropolitan Police understood the shock this incident had caused residents. He stated fast inquiries were underway to find the perpetrator.
Gun Violence Persists in Some London Areas
While not extremely common, this wasn’t the first shooting incident in Hackney this year. According to the Hackney Gazette’s Joseph Rae, the borough ranks third-worst in London for gun crime occurrences.
“Hackney itself is the third worst borough with gun crime in London,” Rae explained, “It’s not as big an issue as knife crime, but it’s still something to worry about sometimes.”
Just a few months ago, in August 2023, a shooting took place in the St Neots area of London. More incidents had been reported in May 2024 as well.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances around last night’s drive-by attack in Hackney. They are appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the shooter and make an arrest.
When will Londoners feel safe again on their city streets?
