Gang war probe in shop shooting

Detectives investigating the shooting of a five-year-old girl and a shopkeeper in London believe they were caught in the crossfire of a gang blasting two youths who sheltered in their shop.

The little girl and 35-year-old man are in a critical condition after being hit inside the Stockwell Food & Wine shop, on Stockwell Road, south London at 9.15pm yesterday.

Today, the Metropolitan Police issued a statement saying: “It is believed two black youths ran into the shop shortly before the shots were fired.

“The youths had been chased from Broomgrove Road, across Stockwell Road, and into the shop by three other black youths on bicycles.

“Once the youths on bikes were outside the shop, one of them fired shots into the shop front.”

The little girl was hit in chest, police confirmed, and the man was shot in the face.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Boughton said: “This is a terrible incident where an innocent child has been seriously injured.

“We want to hear from the local community, who might have seen these youths cycling around the estate between 2100 hours and 2200 hours.

“I appeal to those who have information or were involved in this shooting to come forward and assist us with this investigation.

“These criminals have seriously injured two innocent bystanders and must face the consequences of their actions.”

Detectives confirmed the victims were not related.