A funeral drive-by shooting which left a girl of seven fighting for life was a targeted “revenge” attack, sources claim.
Cops are hunting for a black Toyota CHR after the girl was caught in the crossfire of a “targeted” assault outside a church which left six injured.
They victims were exiting a service for British-Colombian cancer victim Sara Sanchez, 20, and her mother Fresia Calderon, 50, when they were hit.
Eyewitnesses told the Daily Mirror that they heard a “bang like a firework” before the victims fell to the floor.
Specialist officers have been drafted in as Met Police detectives confirmed emergency services found “multiple people with injuries caused by pellets from a shotgun”.
No arrests have been made and a manhunt was continuing last night as police revealed those receiving hospital treatment had been struck with shotgun pellets.
The child was last night in a stable but life-threatening condition following the drive-by attack, police confirmed.
Supt Jack Rowlands said: “We believe the suspects discharged a shotgun from a moving vehicle which was a black Toyota CHR, likely a 2019 model or similar.
“This was a shocking incident. People came here to attend a funeral to be with friends and loved ones and mourn together.
“Instead they were the victims of a senseless act of violence.”
Meanwhile an insider said: “A black car came by and just started to shoot bullets - it was chaotic.
“The gunman may have been targeting a guest at the funeral as part of a revenge attack.
“People are saying the intended target of the shooting was a man who attended the service. There’s speculation that it was some sort of revenge attack.”
Emergency services raced to central London’s St Aloysius church on Phoenix Road opposite Euston railway station about 1.30pm on Saturday.
A gunman opened fire in broad daylight as mourners released doves, it was reported.
Shocking footage from inside the church shows scenes of utter chaos following the attack.
Another girl aged 12 suffered a leg injury but has been discharged from hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
A woman, 48, suffered life-changing injuries. Women aged 21, 41, and 58,
were also hurt in the attack.
In a harrowing video posted online, funeral goers can be heard screaming and seen running for their safety inside the church.
Frightened screams of “oh my God” are heard by the crowds as they rush in for safety.
One person shouted “we need to get out”, another said “get to the back” and a third told people to “sit down”.
Yesterday an eyewitness said: “It was terrifying, there was a bang like a firework then four people just fell to the ground.
“Everyone was screaming and running. No-one had a clue what was going on.”
Fresia Calderon died after suffering a pulmonary embolism after she arrived to Heathrow from Colombia on November 5.
Her daughter Sara Sanchez, who had been diagnosed with leukaemia three years ago, succumbed 25 days later after ‘giving up all hope’, according to a family member.
The duo, along with Sara’s younger brother, had travelled to Colombia for a “final goodbye” and were on their way back when Fresia collapsed in front of both children.
