Arrest after girl, 8, and man seriously injured in west London car shooting

A woman and two-year-old child were also in the car when a gunman opened fire, but were unhurt

An eight-year-old girl and a man have been seriously injured after a gunman opened fire on a car, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The child and the man, aged 34, were rushed to hospital after they were shot in Southern Row, Ladbroke Grove, just after 5.30pm on Sunday.

A woman and two-year-old baby were also in the vehicle during the shooting, but were unhurt, police said.

A 22-year-old man was arrested immediately following the incident on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.

A horrified onlooker heard screaming and ran downstairs where she witnessed the incident.

“I was completely in shock and I just ran back up the stairs because I was really scared,” she said. “Then I looked and I heard screaming afterwards, and then people coming out to call the police.”

Police have cordoned off the scene in Southern Row, Ladbroke Grove (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Another woman living near the scene, who did not want to be named, said she was “scared” after the shooting.

She was in her kitchen cooking and thought fireworks were going off, before armed police arrived and she discovered what had happened.

A large cordon remains in place as police and forensics teams comb the area near a block of flats.

Speaking near the scene of the shooting on Monday, superintendent Owen Renowden said the eight-year-old girl is in surgery, although her injuries are not life-threatening and she is in a stable condition. However the 34-year-old man has suffered potentially life-changing injuries.

The superintendent said: “Last night at approximately 5.30pm we received numerous 999 calls to Southern Row reporting that shots had been fired, that a number of people in a vehicle had been injured.

“We immediately dispatched units to the scene, including local officers from the emergency response teams on the borough, supported by armed officers from the specialist firearms command.

“On arrival, officers located a 34-year-old man and an eight-year-old girl who had sustained serious gunshot injuries. Also present in the car were a two-year-old child and a 32-year-old woman who were thankfully unharmed.”

A police forensic officer at the scene on Southern Grove in Ladbroke Grove, west London (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater Joe Powell said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: “These senseless acts of violence have no place on our streets.”

Appealing for witnesses to come forward, Superintendent Renowden added: “I am appealing to the public who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting. Did you hear any gunshots around 5.30pm yesterday evening? Did you see anyone fleeing from the area?

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information surrounding this incident. Your information matters, no matter how insignificant you may think it is.”

Witnesses can contact police on 101 giving the reference CAD5238/24NOV or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online to remain anonymous.