A woman has died following a triple shooting in Brent, north-west London, late Saturday night. According to the Metropolitan Police, officers were called to Gifford Road around 9:15 PM GMT where they discovered the victim, aged in her 40s, suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two men, both aged in their 30s, were also injured during this incident. One of these men was rushed to the hospital and remains in intensive care, facing life-threatening conditions, whereas the second man sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The shocking event unfolded as several local residents were enjoying their Saturday evening. A neighbor who wishes to remain anonymous relayed the frantic moments, saying, "I heard five gunshots in quick succession." This description was echoed by other residents who initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks. One woman explained, "My daughter came through the door 10 minutes before it happened. My son thought there were fireworks, then I heard my neighbor screaming and realized there was a shooting. It’s crazy, it’s sad. It’s scary—it does not feel safe. I’ve lived here since 2008 and I’ve never heard anything like this before."
The proximity of the incident to personal gatherings seemed to heighten the surreal nature of the event. Witnesses reported seeing people leaving the nearby River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, where they had been attending a wake, only to stumble upon the aftermath of the violence. One resident recounted the scene of devastation: "People came out of the church and saw the bodies on the ground. I heard a lot of crying and screaming." This has left many community members shaken.
Superintendent Tony Josephs of the Metropolitan Police's North West Command Unit addressed the community’s fears and concerns following the shooting. He stated, “This is a truly shocking incident. I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London. We can assure you, we have teams of experienced detectives already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.” He also urged anyone with information to step forward.
The police have initiated a murder investigation and have cordoned off several streets around the shooting scene as forensic teams gather evidence. Despite their efforts, no arrests have yet been made. Authorities are still working diligently to piece together the sequence of events leading up to and during the troubling incident.
The chilling nature of the event has raised numerous questions among locals about safety and security. Various residents have expressed disbelief at such violence occurring near their homes and have voiced their fears about their community's safety. Another neighbor reiterated the shock, saying, "We heard the shooting sound, and we thought it was fireworks; we didn’t expect there would be a gun here." This sense of bewilderment and fear encapsulates the emotions felt by the Brent community.
Currently, road closures remain enforced around Gifford Road as the police continue their investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or possesses information about the surrounding circumstances is encouraged to report to local authorities. Superintendent Josephs reinforced this point, urging, “If you were around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who may have been responsible, please get in touch with us. A family has been left devastated, and we need to work together to provide them with answers.”
The tragic shooting not only claims lives but also leaves families and communities reeling. With the investigation still underway, the residents of Brent remain hopeful for closure and justice.
