A tragic gangland shooting in east London has left a nine-year-old girl with devastating, life-altering injuries and sent shockwaves through the community, as the man who orchestrated the attack was sentenced to life in prison. The events unfolded on the evening of May 29, 2024, at the bustling Evin Café on Kingsland High Street in Dalston, Hackney, a popular spot for families and locals alike. What should have been a joyful family outing for a young Keralite girl and her parents—who had moved to Birmingham from Gothuruth, Kerala, just three years prior—turned into a nightmare that would change their lives forever.
According to reports from The Standard and The Times of India, the girl was enjoying ice-cream with her family when six bullets were fired from a passing stolen Ducati Monster motorbike. The first bullet struck her in the head, leaving a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet lodged in her brain. The intended targets of the attack were three men sitting outside the café—Mustafa Kiziltan (35), Kenan Aydogdu (45), and Nasser Ali (44)—all of whom sustained gunshot wounds to the arm, leg, thigh, and backbone. All four victims were rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.
The shooting was not a random act of violence but rather a calculated strike in a long-running feud between two rival gangs: the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks. The court at the Old Bailey heard that Javon Riley, 33, of Tottenham, London, was the orchestrator and getaway driver for the attack. Over several days before the shooting, Riley meticulously scoped out the restaurant, even sitting across the street sipping a pina colada as he watched his intended targets. On the night of the attack, he drove past the restaurant multiple times in a stolen car to confirm the presence of the three men.
After confirming the targets, Riley returned to the scene on the stolen motorbike with the gunman riding pillion. As diners enjoyed their meals, the gunman opened fire, sending the café into chaos. The violence was described in court as a "very carefully planned attack," carried out in revenge for previous gang-related incidents. The court also heard that Riley helped the gunman flee the scene and disposed of the firearm—neither the shooter nor the weapon has been found to this day. The Metropolitan Police have since offered a £15,000 reward for information leading to the gunman’s capture.
During the trial, Riley claimed he was hired by the Tottenham Turks for what he believed was a "smash and grab" robbery involving 60 kilos of drugs, insisting he was unaware of any plan to commit a shooting. However, the jury at the Old Bailey did not accept his explanation, finding him guilty of the attempted murders of Kiziltan, Aydogdu, and Ali, as well as causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the young girl. Riley was sentenced on September 12, 2025, by Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 34 years.
Judge Lucraft did not mince words during sentencing. He called the attack "mindless violence" and expressed disbelief at character references submitted on Riley’s behalf that described him as a "role model" for his children. "To me, it’s unclear they know what you do to make your money," the judge remarked, listing Riley’s prior convictions for weapons possession, violence, drugs, and dangerous driving. Riley’s criminal record in the UK dates back to 2008, and he admitted to helping destroy vehicles and evidence following the shooting. When pressed in court to name the gunman, Riley responded, "I cannot give you that. I fear for my safety and my family."
The impact of the shooting on the young girl and her family has been profound. Her mother, in a moving victim impact statement read to the court, described the daily struggles her daughter now faces. "We came here to give our daughter a better life. Instead, we now fight every day for her survival, dignity, and small piece of happiness," she wrote. Before the attack, the girl loved music, dancing, sports, and gymnastics. Now, she can only watch from the sidelines, living with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet lodged in her brain. Her mother lamented, "Every time we see her struggling, we ask ourselves why we came here, and what we could have done differently. We grieve for the dreams we once had for her."
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, acknowledged the gravity of the situation after the verdict. "While this outcome is a reminder that justice can be served, it will never undo the suffering caused to her or her family," Yorke said, echoing the sentiments of many in the community who have been left shaken by the senseless violence.
The mother’s statement went beyond personal grief, calling for collective responsibility to prevent such tragedies in the future. "How many more families must live through this? How many more children must lose their futures to acts of senseless violence? This isn’t only about our daughter, it’s about the responsibility we all share to make our world safer, so no parent has to write a statement like this." Her words struck a chord with many, highlighting the broader impact of gang violence on innocent families and the urgent need for community action.
The case has also cast a spotlight on the ongoing gang rivalries that have plagued parts of London for years. The feud between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks has resulted in multiple violent incidents, with innocent bystanders increasingly caught in the crossfire. The attack at the Evin Café is a grim reminder of just how far-reaching the consequences of gang violence can be, affecting not only the intended targets but also families simply trying to enjoy a night out.
In the aftermath of the sentencing, the community is left grappling with tough questions. How can such violence be prevented in the future? What more can be done to protect innocent lives from the fallout of gang feuds? While the conviction and sentencing of Javon Riley may bring some measure of justice, the search for the gunman continues, and the scars left on the young victim and her family remain painfully fresh.
The story of the Hackney shooting is one of heartbreak, resilience, and a call to action. It is a stark illustration of the real human cost behind statistics on gang violence, and a reminder that justice—while necessary—can never truly mend the lives shattered by a single moment of senseless brutality.
