‘Teenage gunman’ shoots girl, 11, woman, 30, and two young men with a BB-gun in south London park attack sparked by a ‘row between a gang of youths’
- A large group of men were said to have gathered in Figges Marsh, Mitcham
- Police have imposed an emergency ‘stop and search’ order while investigating
- Among those injured in the incident was a woman and an 11-year-old girl
Four people, including an 11-year-old girl, have been injured in a pellet-gun attack in south-west London.
According to police, the incident took place in Figges Marsh, Mitcham at around 5:40pm on Sunday after a fighting broke out among a large group of men in the suburb.
Shots were fired and four people were injured, although none of their wounds were said to be life threatening.
Despite initial reports the gunman had a firearm, police later confirmed the teenage gunman actually opened fire with a pellet gun – hitting a woman, 30, and a young girl, 11, in the process.
The scene in the wake of the shooting after police cordoned off a public gym in Figges Marsh
Officers were called just before 6pm on Sunday amid reports of a shooting in Mitcham
An unnamed source told the Sun: ‘A fight broke out between the guys. One of them ran away and came back with a long gun and started firing.
‘A lady got shot three times and her daughter got shot in the leg by the pellets.
‘We all got down on the ground to not get hit by the shots. It was a big gun but the bullets were pellets. He was running around with it. You could see it as he ran past us.’
Police revealed that the 11-year-old girl and older woman were rushed to hospital shortly after the horror incident.
The other two victims, said to be teenage boys, checked into hospital themselves and received treatment for their injuries.
Merton Police later tweeted that they had imposed an emergency Section 60 ‘Stop and Search’ order until tomorrow morning in an apparent attempt to trace the weapon.
So far no arrests have been made.
‘Section 60 in place in Mitcham until 06.55hrs Mon 25 March after reports of firearm discharged in Figges Marsh,’ Merton Police said.
A police officer stands by a car after the bloody incident in the leafy suburb in south-west London
So far no arrests have been made although police are searching for those involved in the incident
‘Police called at 17.40hrs, woman & 11y/o child injured, neither in life threatening condition. No arrests/enqs ongoing Call 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Detectives are appealing for witnesses and anyone connected to an incident in which a pellet gun was fired in Mitcham to come forward.
‘Police were called at 1740hrs on Sunday, 24 March, to reports of shots fired in Figges Marsh open space, off London Road, Mitcham.
‘Officers attended the location along with London Ambulance Service (LAS).
‘A 30-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl were found suffering shotgun pellet injuries. Both were known to each other, but are not related.
‘They were taken to hospital by LAS for treatment. We understand the woman suffered pellet injuries to her back, and the girl a pellet wound to her leg. Neither is believed to have been seriously injured.
A large crowd of men was said to have gathered near Figges Marsh (pictured) in Mitcham before gunfire erupted on Sunday night
‘A short time later, police were alerted to two males – both aged in their late teens – who had self-presented at a south London hospital suffering shotgun pellet injuries which are not believed to be serious.
‘The investigation is being led by detectives from South West CID. There has been no arrest at this stage.
‘A large group of males had been seen in the area prior to the shots being discharged and enquiries are ongoing to locate these individuals. Detectives are urging anyone in this group who has not yet spoken with police to come forward.
‘They are also asking witnesses or anyone with information to contact them on 101 and quote CAD5607/24March.
‘To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’