14 January 2023 , 19:59
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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is "deeply distressed" after news emerged of a shooting which has left a seven-year-old girl fighting for her life.
Mr Khan said he had spoken with Scotland Yard following the shooting outside St Aloysius Church near Euston, where mourners had gathered for the funeral of a mum and daughter on Saturday afternoon.
The Met Police initially said three women and a girl aged seven had been injured, and have since confirmed a 21-year-old woman and 12-year-old girl have also been hurt.
The seven-year-old was in a life-threatening condition on Saturday evening while the 48-year-old woman has been assessed as having potential life changing injuries. Two other women, aged 41 and 54, were also injured.
Police at the scene of the shooting on Phoenix Road, London (PA)In a brief statement, Sadiq Khan said: “This is a deeply distressing incident and my thoughts are with those who were injured and their families.
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“A police investigation is now under way and I am in close contact with the Met Police to determine what happened.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan described the news as 'deeply distressing' (Getty Images)Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also conveyed his horror, urging anyone with information or even footage of the incident to contact police.
"I am deeply shocked by the shooting in Euston and want to thank the emergency services for their response," he said.
"My thoughts are with the victims."
Superintendent Ed Wells, who is dealing with the investigation, said: “Any shooting incident is unacceptable, but for multiple people, including two children, to be injured in a shooting in the middle of a Saturday afternoon is shocking.
A heavy police presence remained at the scene near Euston Station on Saturday evening (PA)“Our thoughts are with all the victims, but in particular with the seven
-year-old girl who is in a life threatening condition and with her family.
“An investigation into this dreadful attack is already well under way involving local officers and specialist detectives. I can assure the communities of Camden and beyond that we will do everything we possibly can to identify and bring to justice those who were responsible.
“Local residents can expect to see an increased visible police presence in the area through the weekend and into the days ahead as we progress this investigation."