LONDON: Four people were taken to hospital, including one in critical condition, after a drive-by shooting interrupted a late-night barbecue in south London, according to the Metropolitan Police and local reports.
Emergency responders were called to reports of gunfire on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton during the early hours of Saturday. Police and paramedics arrived quickly and found four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. All victims received initial treatment at the scene before being transported to hospital.
A 25-year-old man remains in a life-threatening condition, while three others aged 21, 47, and 70 sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening or life-changing, authorities said.
Investigators believe the shooting took place during or shortly after a barbecue gathering. No arrests have been made so far, and inquiries are ongoing. Police described the attack as an act of “indiscriminate violence” and said efforts to identify and locate those responsible are continuing.
Officers have stepped up patrols in the area amid safety concerns raised by residents. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as shots rang out, with people running for safety. A nearby shopkeeper said he heard gunfire and allowed people to take shelter inside his store, temporarily locking it for protection.
Another resident noted that while the neighbourhood is generally considered safe, incidents like this are rare in their experience.
Police have appealed to the public for information, urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant footage to come forward.
Blast in Bristol:
In a separate incident, a man and a woman were killed and three others injured in a “suspicious” house explosion in Bristol, police said.
Three individuals were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Authorities declared a major incident, cordoned off the area, and evacuated nearby residents. The explosion is being treated as suspicious but not as an act of terrorism, according to reports.
