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Three boys shot by bicycle balaclava gang
Justin Davenport and Neil Millard27.10.09
Three boys aged 15 and 14 have been shot in a suspected gangland attack.
The 15-year-old was fighting for life today after suffering stomach wounds in the shooting in Stoke Newington. One of the 14-year-olds was hit in the arm and the other was “grazed” by a bullet.
Residents described hearing what they first thought were fireworks in Howard Road at about 8.45 last night.
One witness, aged 23, said he saw a large group approach the victims: “There were 15 of them, two had pedal bikes — the shooter was on one of the bikes because I saw him riding off last and putting something away.
“The victims were just hanging around talking and laughing. I could see a group creeping around the corner with hoods on. As one went around the corner he let off six shots. These boys had balaclavas on. I went out and saw a boy lying on the floor with four shots in him.”
Ambulance crews found the 15-year-old in Howard Road. The two other boys were found in nearby streets. Police sources said the three teenagers had been standing outside a community centre and had been shot as they tried to flee.
Detectives are searching for between five and 10 suspects and the area around Howard Road was cordoned off today.
A 44-year-old resident who was watching TV at the time said: “There are always fireworks going off and I thought that was what it was. The ages of the victims is shocking. It's absolutely disgusting.
“This sort of thing in this area is not uncommon — it's almost daily now. This is not going to get any better until the Government starts putting money into the youth. They have nothing to do any more when they are out of school.
“There is not even a youth club here any more — you cannot expect them to be cooped up in a tiny flat.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were alerted at 8.46pm by the London Ambulance Service after an injured youth was found. He was taken to a London hospital where his condition is understood to be critical but stable.
“Two other youths were found injured and were taken to hospital. There has been no arrest at present.” Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Detectives have spoken of their alarm that younger children are increasingly involved in gun crime.
Reader views (9)
I understand what some people are saying about shakespeare because some of the kids there are on a hype thing, but i know for a fact that at least one of those boys who were shot at isn't involved in the shakespeare gang
- Anon, stokey
Them scary cyclistas: first, skin tight lycra, then, it's cycling the wrong way up one way streets, you just know it'll all end rather badly. Cut gun crime by bringing back the Cycling Proficiency Test! It'll save money in the long run.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
I live very close to this and completely disagree with the comment how it happens daily! we do not have youths running round with guns blazing! and what is Justin saying? is he saying residents and the children from the Shakespeare estate don't deserve to be shot or don't do anything to stop the shootings? he says they bring it on themselves what does he mean? how can these irrational suggestions be made? if you are going to comment atleast use your education and don't shout your prejudicial ideas from your soapboxes! we have a lovely neighbourhood with next to no violent crimes have you read the local police crime figures or research council reports before syaing anything?
- Kennie, Islington
to justine i live on the shakespeare estate and have two sons eldest is 9 his he bringing it on himself that he his afraid to play in the park society as a whole is failing our youth and stronger measure need to be introduced i welcome the police patrolling with arms (brixton, totenham, haringay) why not hackney ?? the parents of the youngsters that commit offences at an early age need to be punished as well this will encourage them to act like real parents and apply some discipline on thier children that said there are a lot of good kids on the estate and you are wrong to stereo type and label them all as trouble makers my son is one of the top performers in his school which is in the top 5% of uk primary schools yet i fear for his future CCTV and a heavier police presence is needed and community officers that actually get invovled with the community
- Paul, hackney, uk
This is much better than those nasty, dangerous police people walkin around with guns. Maybe a PC should have chased them with his pepper spray!?
- Mark, London
And we do not need armed police in London??
Who are they kidding?
Its getting worse, the only answer I can think of is for all decent people to abandon this city and then the govt. may(and I say may)realise something needs to be done.
- Russell, London
Quote “This sort of thing in this area is not uncommon — it's almost daily now. This is not going to get any better until the Government starts putting money into the youth. They have nothing to do any more when they are out of school"
Why do people think that a bit of money from the governement is going to change this. This is a deep rooted problem with a certain section of today's society and no amount of cash or "Boys Clubs" is going to make a difference.
- Dc, London
I phoned the police before this happend as i saw about 30 youths running up shakspeare walk towards howard road on my way home it was dismissed by the police and could of been prevented the police need to start listining to local residents that know when youths from other areas are in the area had cars been present at the time this may have been prevented.
- Paul, hackney, uk
Guessing the youths who were shot are those from the shakespeare estate,in which case, they bring these things on themselves. Not that they deserve it,but they really don't help things.
- Justin, London
