16 January 2023 , 08:25
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A seven-year-old girl was shot at the funeral of a woman who was married to a convicted member of the notorious Colombian Cali drug cartel.
Officers rushed to reports of a drive-by shooting at a church in Euston, central London on Saturday, where Scotland Yard said shotgun pellets were fired from a black Toyota C-HR at around 1.30pm before it was driven off.
A memorial service was being held for Fresia Calderon, 50, who died from a rare blood clot last November, and her 20-year-old daughter Sara Sanchez, who passed away three weeks later from leukaemia.
Four women and two children were injured in the attack, with the youngest left in a life-threatening condition.
A memorial service was being held for Fresia Calderon, 50, and her daughter Sara Sanchez (GoFundMe)A 22-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and taken into police custody after a car was stopped shortly before 4pm yesterday.
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It has now been reported that Fresia Calderon's ex-husband was once jailed in the UK for his role in helping to launder money for a London drugs gang linked to the Colombian Cali cartel.
Carlos Arturo Sanchez-Coronado became known as the first man ever to be extradited from Colombia to the UK where he was jailed in 2009, according to The Telegraph.
He was said to be the gang’s “money deliverer” after pleading guilty to three charges linked to money laundering and fake documents.
A 22-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder (George Cracknell Wright)Born in Cali, Mr Sanchez-Coronado was imprisoned in the UK before moving back to South America. He is understood to have passed away last year aged 56.
The Metropolitan Police has not disclosed any possible motive for the shooting, but previous reports have suggested it was part of a revenge attack.
The shots sent mourners running and screaming, with many of them sheltering inside the church, witnesses said.
Father Jeremy Trood, who conducted the service, confirmed it was a Requiem Mass for Sara Sanchez and her mother.
Medical equipment on the road outside St Aloysius RC church in Euston (Ben Cawthra/LNP)Police said three women - aged 48, 54 and 41 - were taken to a central London hospital where their injuries were assessed as non-life threatening.
The 48-year-old has potentially life-changing injuries.
A 21-year-old woman was also taken to a central London hospital and her condition has been assessed as non life-threatening.
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The seven-year-old girl remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
A 12-year-old girl who sustained a leg injury is expected to make a full recovery.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting incident or who has information about what took place is asked to call 101, giving the reference 3357/14JAN, and information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.