Police have named a woman killed in a triple shooting outside a church in northwest London.
Michelle Sadio, 46, died and two men in their 30s were injured. One of the men is in a critical condition in hospital.
Residents described scenes of “pandemonium” after the attack in Gifford Road, Harlesden, at around 9.15pm on Saturday.
Police officers and London Ambulance Service crews rushed to the scene and found Ms Sadio. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pastor Lawrence Larbie, from the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, said there was a wake going on inside the church when the attack happened.
He told MyLondon people began running into the building saying “there’s been a shooting, there’s been a shooting”.
“It turns out three people have been hit by a drive-by shooting,” he said.
“The whole place was surrounded by police. One person shot in the back, we heard. People tended to them before the ambulance arrived. The car just drove through. The victims were people attending the wake. They were probably on their way home.
“It’s shocking. We are really devastated. You are invited to attend the wake and you end up deceased. You’re killed. You’re gone. You’re life is expired just like that. It was pandemonium in the building. They came with very deadly, evil intentions to cause death.
“We are just praying for peace on our streets, and people should not be afraid. We pray they will apprehend them.”
The area remained cordoned off on Sunday as forensics teams work to gather evidence, and detectives continue their enquiries. No arrests have been made.
A neighbour who lives nearby said people had been at a wake in a nearby church.
“People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.
“I heard a lot of crying and screaming.”
A resident of Creukhorne Road, who did not wish to be named, said they heard five gun shots in a row on Saturday night.
There have been no arrests.
Superintendent Tony Josephs of the North West Command Unit described the incident as a "truly shocking act of violence" and urged anyone with information to come forward.
He said: “This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.
“I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.
“If you were in or around Gifford Close at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us. A family has been left devastated, and we need to work together to provide them with answers.”
Brent East PM Dawn Butler said she was “devastated to learn of the murder”, adding: “I continue to work closely with the local police service, local organisations, businesses and residents to ensure that the local communities concerns are heard.
“If you have any information, do not hesitate to come forward.”
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or contact them via X (formerly Twitter) @MetCC, quoting CAD7137/14Dec. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
