The mother of an eight-year-old schoolgirl who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in West London was heard shouting, ‘My baby, my baby’s been shot.’
Armed officers from Metropolitan Police were called to Southern Row in Kensington, at 5.34pm on Sunday following numerous reports of gunfire.
Witnesses say they heard ‘four or five shots’ as well as screaming, as the gunman was seen firing directly into a car on the street.
One witness, 64, told Metro: ‘I heard shots, and then a woman shouting: ‘My baby, my baby’s been shot…it makes me sick to think about it now.
‘There were four or five shots, there was screaming it’s horrible. A neighbour went out with a duvet to cover the injured.’
An urgent manhunt is now underway for the Ladbroke Grove gunman after the girl and a 34-year-old man were both seriously injured in the shooting.
The girl and the man were both treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service before being rushed to hospital.
Police said the girl’s injuries are not life-threatening, but officers are awaiting an update on the man’s condition.
Superintendent Owen Renowden said in an update this afternoon: ‘Last night at approximately 5.30pm we received numerous 999 calls to Southern Row reporting shots had been fired and a number of people in a vehicle had been injured.
‘We immediately dispatched units to the scene including local officers from the emergency response teams on the borough supported by armed officers from the specialist firearms command.
‘On arrival officers located a 34-year-old man and an eight-year-old girl who had sustained serious gunshot injuries.
Police cordoned off the area on Southern Row, Ladbroke Grove, on Sunday following reports of a shooting
Forensics on the scene of a shooting in Kensington on Sunday where an eight-year-old schoolgirl and a 34-year-old man were injured
The shooting took place at around 5.30pm on Southern Row in Kensington on Sunday
‘Also present in the car were a two-year-old child and a 32-year-old woman who were thankfully unharmed.
I want to take this opportunity now to thank the members of the public who came to the aid of those who were injured last night.
Officers administered first aid before being assisted by colleagues from the London Ambulance Service.
‘Both injured parties were taken to hospital where they currently remain in a serious but stable condition
‘The 34-year-old male has sustained potentially life-changing injuries whilst the eight-year-old girl remains in surgery. Although we do not believe her injuries to be life threatening at this time.
‘They are being supported by specialist officers and my thoughts remain with them.
‘Immediately following the incident officers arrested a 22-year-old male on suspicion of attempted murder and he remains in police custody.
‘The investigation is being led by detectives from the Specialist Crimes Command who are working closely with our local teams to establish the circumstances around what took place last night.
‘I recognise that any shooting has a traumatic impact on the local community and I have already heard today how last night’s incident in particular has effected local people.
‘There will be a continued presence from our local policing teams over the coming days and we are working closely with our partners to increase the presence of all services in the area.’
Superintendent Renowden previously said: ‘This is an appalling incident that has left two people seriously injured, including a young girl who thankfully is in a stable condition this morning.
‘I am appealing to the public who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting. Did you hear any gunshots around 5.30pm yesterday evening? Did you see anyone fleeing from the area?
‘We are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information surrounding this incident. Your information matters, no matter how insignificant you may think it is.’
A 32-year-old woman was also taken to hospital as a precaution but was not injured.
One woman, who did not want to be named, added: ‘I heard that someone was trying to shoot the man and the girl happened to be caught in the crossfire.
‘She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s heartbreaking. I hope both victims recover well.’
Sharon, who was in the area to visit her mother said: ‘The guy was shooting directly into a car.
‘I was literally coming out of the exit to my mum’s block of flats and as I was going out, I saw a guy shooting into the car multiple times.
‘He was firing directly, like at close range as if you’re standing to open a door, they were shooting directly into it.
‘I was completely in shock and I just ran back up the stairs because I was really scared.’
Police guard a cordon on Southern Row, Ladbroke Grove in west London after the shooting
Medical equipment and broken glass lying on the floor at the scene on Southern Row
Forensics collecting evidence at the scene of a shooting in the Ladbroke Grove area of Kensington
‘Then I looked and I heard screaming afterwards, and then people coming out to call the police.’
Sharon, who did not wish to give her surname, added: ‘I’ve noticed in the last several years, it has become a lot more unsafe for the people here.’
Another local, who also wished to remain anonymous, said when he first heard the gunshots he thought they were fireworks.
The 19-year-old man said: ‘I heard these shots and I thought it was fireworks.
‘But then about eight police cars raced past my house. It’s really scary.
‘I wish the police would give us more information. Is this a random attack?’
The local said the shooting is particularly worrying as it comes so soon after 15-year-old Rene Graham was shot dead in nearby Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park.
‘Why does this keep happening?,’ he added, ‘It’s sad but we’re getting used to hearing about knife incidents. But shooting? That feels more rare.’
Another woman living near the scene, who did not want to be named, said she was ‘scared’ after the shooting.
She was in the kitchen cooking and thought fireworks were going off, before armed police arrived and she discovered what had happened.
Local MP Joe Powell said several incidents in the area recently had left residents in fear.
In a statement on X the Labour politician, who represents Kensington and Bayswater, said: ‘These senseless acts of violence have no place on our streets.
‘I know residents in the local community will be rightly concerned for their safety after several recent incidents in the neighbourhood.
‘We must work together to better prevent these horrific crimes from happening, and hold those responsible to account.’
Several roads in Ladbroke Grove and Maida Vale remain heavily cordoned off as forensic teams scour for evidence, including bullet casings.
Residents in the area reported hearing helicopters overhead and witnessed police vehicles with sirens passing through the streets.
Uber driver Ali Hussein, who is the father of a nine-year-old girl told Metro he fears for his child’s safety.
Police and forensics on the scene in Southern Row, in Ladbroke Grove on Sunday evening
The area was cordoned off as police and forensics collected evidence from the scene
Lloyd Markham, 60, said: ‘I’ve lived here about 25 years, and it seems like a really safe place to live, but now you start to hear about all these stabbings and shootings.
‘It’s very sad. Why fire a gun with kids around? How can you do that to someone?’
Other residents expressed concern about the rise in violent crime in the area.
In July of this year, Rene Graham, 15, was shot dead at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance, or ‘Teletubbies Park’ on Southern Row.
The boy was enjoying a ‘family fun day’ event before Notting Hill Carnival when he was shot and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
A security officer who was working at the event said: ‘A teenager was assassinated. I was right there. People were rushing and everyone was screaming. They were rushing through the barrier. There were two gunshots.
‘We had booked the street that’s cordoned off for a film shoot tomorrow. I don’t know if that’s going to happen now.’
Another security officer for a nearby building said he saw a helicopter at five or six PM.
Police enquiries into the incident on Sunday are ongoing.
Witnesses can contact police on 101, giving the reference CAD5238/24NOV, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online.