Woman in her 30s was shot outside shop in Maida Vale just 30 minutes after police tried to shut down street party, says terrified residents
- Police have set up a crime scene on Harrow Road after a woman was shot
- The attack happened at around 11.50pm last night in Maida Vale, London
- The victim was treated at the scene and taken to hospital by ambulance
A woman in her 30s was shot in the street just 30 minutes after police tried to shut down a street party, residents claim.
Police and paramedics rushed to Harrow Road, west London at around 11.50pm last night.
A neighbour, who lives just feet from where the shooting took place heard three balloon-like pops before immediately calling the police.
She said: ‘It was about 11.52am and there were three very loud shots – three pops.
Police have set up a crime scene on Harrow Road, London, after a woman in her 30s was shot at 11.50pm yesterday
‘There are often parties and stuff in this area so I thought maybe fireworks because often the people set off fireworks but it sounded – there was a shooting here five or six years ago and I recognised the noise.
‘I called it in and then pretty immediately, it was quite impressive actually, and ambulances and things.
‘I could hear screaming – there was a woman screaming, and cars driving. I could just hear screaming, I think there were a few people there. It was quite scary.
‘I was panicked but the police were here so fast, its not always the case but they were here really quickly so that was comforting. There were definitely a lot of people that were out that scattered after it happened.
The woman was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. Police await an update on her condition
‘Its scary but in the middle of Central London you have to switch off. It was scary but there isn’t much you can do but hope everyone is ok.
‘When I looked through the window all I could see were a lot of police cars and an ambulance here very quickly.
‘It sounded like a balloon popping – that’s the best way I can describe it.’
‘There have also been a lot of stabbings around here. A woman was assaulted just up the road near Queens Park a few months ago, it was very scary.’
Officers remain guarding a cordon around the blood-stained pavement outside Kenrick’s Bar and a greengrocer at the scene of Ashmore Road and Harrow Road.
The junction is known by locals to be a trouble hotspot and is a regular hangout for street drinkers whop have adopted the area as a regular venue for street parties.
One woman, who says she has repeatedly complained to the council, claims police were at the scene just 30 minutes before the shooting took place.
She said: ‘We have been that it was just a matter of time before some-one got shot outside this specific pub.
‘I have been begging them before someone dies. Thankfully someone didn’t die this time.
A crime scene was set up late last night on Harrow Road near the junction with Ashmore Road
‘They are dealing drugs outside of the pub. I have seen people in knife fights, I have seen a woman bleeding.
‘This corner is always a street party. It’s a grocery shop in the day and a party at night.
‘The police were here because there was a huge party and they didn’t shut it down and then half-an-hour later someone was shot.’
Police have not announced news of the woman’s condition but residents in the area claim to have heard that she is ‘alright’.
So far no arrests have been made and officers are appealing for witnesses.