Play Brightcove video
Police appealed for witnesses on Sunday morning and gave details of a car believed to have been used in the attack
A seven-year-old girl was “seriously injured” by shotgun pellets fired from a black Toyota in London, police said.
Officers were called to St Aloysius Church on Phoenix Road in Euston on Saturday, where a memorial service was being held for a young woman and her mother.
They believe the gunmen fired a shotgun from a Toyota C-HR at around 1.30pm before driving off.
Four women and two children were injured in the attack, and the youngest was in critical condition.
Superintendent Jack Rowlands said officers “found a number of people with gunshot wounds”.
Police believe the suspects fired a gun from a black Toyota C-HR, likely a 2019 model, similar to this Credit: Met Police
He added: “Four women, aged 21, 41, 48 and 54, were taken to central London hospitals. Fortunately, their injuries were assessed as life-threatening. The 48-year-old woman has suffered life-changing injuries.
“Two children were also injured. A 12-year-old girl suffered a leg injury. She was treated in hospital before being released yesterday afternoon. She is expected to make a full recovery.
“A seven-year-old girl was more seriously injured. She remains in hospital in a stable but life-threatening condition, and our thoughts are with her and her family.
“We believe the suspects fired a shotgun from a moving vehicle, which was a black Toyota C-HR, likely a 2019 model or similar.”
The shots sent the mourners running and screaming, many of them taking refuge inside the church, witnesses said.
Father Jeremy Trood, who led the service, confirmed it was a Requiem Mass for 20-year-old Sara Sanchez and her mother Fresia Calderón, who both died in November.
Fresia Calderón and her daughter Sara Sanchez Credit: GoFundMe
Ms Sanchez suffered from leukemia for three years before succumbing to the disease after her mother died suddenly from a rare blood clot on arrival at Heathrow from Colombia, MyLondon reported.
Father Trood said: “I was inside the church. I heard the bang and people ran back into the church. They knew something had happened outside.
“They were very scared, people took refuge in the church until the police said they could leave, but some of them were so scared that they had to wait a while to regain the confidence to come out.
“But I was in church the whole time, so I didn’t really see what had happened.”
The video shows the victims running for shelter in the church after a shooting
A resident of an estate opposite the church, who did not want to give his name, said: “I heard the shots.
“I was having a quiet day on my balcony and I heard this almighty bang and I thought this is not normal, and the next minute everyone was screaming and screaming.
“We have a food bank there and everyone was leaving. Neighbors came in and said there had been a shooting. What a terrible thing.”
Police are now looking for the attackers, with the Met’s specialist crime command leading the investigation, Superintendent Rowlands said.
He added: “People came here to attend a funeral, to be with friends and loved ones and mourn together. Instead, they were victims of a senseless act of violence.
“We know it would have had a significant impact on the communities of Camden and we will have a visible police presence in the local area in the coming days and weeks to provide extra security, and as your Ward Superintendent I will ensure that this happens. “
View of St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church on Phoenix Road, Euston Credit: PA
The attack took place in the constituency of Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking to ITV News, he said he wanted gun laws to be “toughened up”, adding: “The tragic incident in my constituency is ongoing.
“Our thoughts are of course with all concerned. I am going to another briefing in relation to this [the attack].
“We are letting the investigation unfold, but my thoughts are with everyone affected by this terrible incident.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added: “This is a deeply distressing incident and my thoughts are with those injured and their families.
“Police are now investigating and I am in close contact with the Met Police to establish what happened.
“I urge anyone with information to call 101, quoting reference 3357/14JAN. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
It was one of the biggest news stories of our time, and it’s not over yet. So what did Boris Johnson know about the notorious Downing Street parties? With new revelations from our #10 sources, in their own words, hear the inside story…