A traumatic drive-by shooting unfolded Saturday evening near the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church on Gifford Road, Harlesden, resulting in the tragic death of one woman and injuries to two men. The incident occurred during what was meant to be a somber gathering—a wake held inside the church.
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers received reports around 9:15 PM GMT and rushed to the scene, only to find the woman, seemingly in her 40s, gravely injured. Despite the medics' efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead on-site. Among the injured were two men, both reportedly aged 30—one of whom is now fighting for his life, whereas the other is recovering from injuries deemed non-life-threatening.
Pastor Lawrence Larbie, who heads the church, described the chaos as attendees were alerted to the shooting. "It was pandemonium inside the building. People ran in yelling about the shooting outside. You’re invited to a wake, only to witness such horror. It’s devastating," he shared with MyLondon. Eyewitness reports indicated they heard five gunshots, leading to widespread confusion and fear as mourners tried to react.
The crime scene has been cordoned off, with police detectives actively investigating the homicide. There were no arrests immediately following the shooting, prompting Superintendent Tony Josephs of the Met Police to urge the public for assistance. “If you were around Gifford Close during the shooting or have any details, we need you to come forward,” he emphasized. The police are focused on piecing together the chain of events leading to this horrifying act.
Local residents expressed their fears and disbelief over the violence. One unnamed witness recalled: "I thought the bangs were fireworks at first. Then screams filled the air, and I realized what was happening. It’s just heartbreaking." Another echoed similar sentiments, stating: "It’s crazy, sad, and scary. I’ve lived here since 2008, and nothing like this has ever happened before.”
Following the tragedy, the community has been left reeling. Pastor Larbie articulated the collective grief, urging everyone to pray for safety on the streets. "We are just praying for peace and hope they catch the culprits," he noted. Dawn Butler, the local Member of Parliament, expressed her sorrow, labeling the incident as horrifying and pressing the community to report any information to aid the investigation.
The police continue to investigate thoroughly, as officers from the forensic unit have been seen at the scene gathering evidence. Road closures remain active as part of the investigation. Witnesses and those with information can reach out to police or anonymously to charities like Crimestoppers.”
