Teenager at family BBQ shootout says gunmen ‘didn’t care who they hit’

Teenagers ducked for cover after a gunman sprayed seven bullets into a crowd at a barbecue in a south London ‘murder mile’. 

A 25-year-old is fighting for his life after the drive-by ambush at a barbecue on Coldharbour Lane at 1.15am on Saturday. 

Three others aged 21, 47 and 70, were also hit but suffered more minor injuries. 

Blood spatter could still be seen on the ground next to discarded barbecue equipment, left behind as people ran for their lives.

Detectives are investigating if a stabbing on nearby Acre Lane which left a 33-year-old man critically wounded was connected. 

No arrests have been made in connection with either attack. 

The shooting scene is just yards from the spot where Keelen Wong, 22, was fatally stabbed in 2023. 

A shrine to him with flowers and a commemorative bench is on the same stretch of road as the shooting.

Witnesses described a car pulling up before firing into the barbecue crowd. 

An 18-year-old who was at the barbecue but did not want to be named told Metro: ‘It was crazy. Everybody was panicking and running for their lives. There were no issues at the party before that.

‘It was just people chilling. There were families around. Who did this didn’t care who they hit.’ 

A mother-of-two, 28, whose home is opposite the barbecue spot where the gunman struck told Metro: ‘It was total mayhem. I heard bangs, but I thought it was fireworks set off at the barbecue across the road.

‘There were about 50 people they often meet there when it’s sunny and it’s not usually problem.

‘But as soon as I saw the police and paramedics on the scene I knew it was serious.

‘One guy who was shot was a pensioner, there were different generations at the party, my neighbours said.

‘A stray bullet could have gone through my window. I fear for my kids.

‘Keelen was killed just over the road and there is a constant reminder with the memorial. We are starting to call Coldharbour Lane ‘murder mile.’

DCI Allam Bhangoo, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We understand how concerning this incident will be for the local community and want to reassure residents that officers are working at pace to identify those responsible.

‘The man found on Acre Lane had multiple stab wounds and remains in a life-threatening condition, as does the man shot on Coldharbour Lane.’

Forensics officers have been scouring the crime scenes for clues including collecting bullet casings. Meanwhile detectives have been trawling through CCTV footage from the area and carrying out door to door inquiries. Extra police patrols have been dispatched to the area to reassure the public. 

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or to remain anonymous crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

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