Two women were injured by shotgun pellets after a suspect dropped a firearm during a police pursuit in Clapham, the Metropolitan police have said.
Officers were chasing two people riding a moped which failed to stop in Clapham, south London, at 4.55pm on Friday. The moped collided with a 27-year-old pedestrian and police said the vehicle crashed “a short while later”.
One of the suspects was carrying a shotgun and as the pair fled on foot, they dropped the firearm and it discharged, police said. Two women in the street, aged 27 and 36, were injured by shotgun pellets, but police said the women were “not deliberately targeted”.
All three people injured in the incident have been discharged from hospital.
DCI Gemma Alger, of the specialist crime unit, said: “Our investigation to identify the two people responsible is at an early stage, but we will be relentless in following up every line of inquiry to arrest them.
“The suspects fled the scene on foot. Crime scenes remain in place in St Alphonsus Road as forensic searches are ongoing at premises where the suspects made off through gardens. The shotgun was recovered from the scene and this will also be subject to forensic analysis.
“I want to hear from anyone with information about the incident and any witnesses yet to speak with police. CCTV footage will form part of our investigation, and of course I also want to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage that may assist the investigation.
“Officers will be in the area to provide reassurance to the local community,” said Alger.
As the moped had been pursued by police, the Met’s directorate of professional standards is aware of the incident and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed, the force said.
• Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous on 0800 555 111.
