Armed police swarmed Kingsland High Street in Dalston, east London, in May 29 last year after the youngster was struck by a bullet – while three other men were wounded and taken to hospital
Three men have been arrested for conspiracy to murder over a terrifying drive-by shooting in Hackney which left a nine-year-old girl with life-changing injuries.
Armed police swarmed Kingsland High Street in Dalston, east London, on the evening of May 29 last year after reports of gunfire. The girl had been out eating dinner with her family at a restaurant when she was seriously injured after being struck by a bullet, while three other men were wounded in the shooting and taken to hospital.
The Metropolitan Police said on Thursday three men – aged 36, 35 and 28 – were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday and have been released on bail pending further investigation. Scotland Yard confirmed the girl’s family has been informed of the arrests and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
Eyewitnesses recalled the horror in the shooting’s aftermath, including one woman who described the moment she realised something was terribly wrong while eating at a Nando’s nearby. “At first everyone didn’t think it was [a shooting], it sounded like a car not working, but we were in Nando’s and we just saw people running past,” she said.
“Everyone stepped out to look and we could see loads of people surrounding that shop. The police took ages to come and prior to that, we saw the motorcyclist. He went around Nando’s on that road. We kind of just wanted to get out of there.”
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Dalloway, who is leading the investigation, said: “A little girl’s life was traumatically changed on the evening of Wednesday 29 May.
“The dangerous individual responsible for those life-changing injuries remains on our streets, and people out there know who pulled the trigger. This investigation is not slowing down. We need to hear from those who have information about the identity of an individual seen on a motorcycle in Kingsland High Street at the time of this offence, or if anyone has seen the same model of Ducati Monster.
“We recognise people may be apprehensive about sharing information but it is imperative they do so. They do not need to speak directly to the police. They can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Alternatively they can contact our officers via 101, quoting 8082/29May.”