A Birmingham family has spoken out for the first time following the tragic shooting of their nine-year-old daughter in London. The schoolgirl was seriously injured when she was caught in the crossfire of a gang attack in Hackney, leaving a bullet lodged in her brain.
The incident occurred on May 29, 2024, at the Evin Restaurant on Kingsland High Street, Dalston, where the family had been visiting from Birmingham. A gunman on a motorbike opened fire, targeting members of a North London Turkish gang rivalry. Six bullets were fired, with three men sitting nearby as the intended targets. Tragically, the young girl was hit instead.
Speaking anonymously to ITV News London, the family described the heartbreaking toll the shooting has taken on their lives. They said, “We feel like we’ve lost our child. She’s not the same girl anymore, and she’s not coming back.” Despite their desire for justice, their primary concern is their daughter’s future and well-being. “What will happen to her if anything happens to us? She doesn’t even know how to live now because of her brain injury.”
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The three men targeted in the attack were affiliated with the Hackney Turks organised crime group and were seriously injured, requiring multiple surgeries at Royal London Hospital. Javon Riley, the hired spotter and getaway driver linked to the rival Tottenham Turks gang, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 34 years for causing grievous harm to the girl and attempting murder of the three men.
However, the gunman who fired the shots remains at large, leaving the family desperate for justice. “If the police can catch him and bring justice, it will help prevent this from happening to others,” they said.
This tragic event highlights the devastating impact of gang violence on innocent lives and families caught in the crossfire.