Three injured after gunman opened fire from moped in Clapham Common at rush hour before fleeing as cops launch manhunt
THREE people have been injured after a gunman opened fire from a moped in Clapham Common at rush hour.
The Metropolitan Police have launched a manhunt after the suspect fled The Bellevue pub in South London.
Police swarmed the busy area at around 5pm on Friday after a shooting was reported in Clapham Common South Side, they said.
The Met Police said that a firearm, believed to be a shotgun, was fired from a moped near the area.
Emergency crews were called to treat three people at the scene.
In a statement, they said: “We sent a number of resources including ambulance crews, operational managers, advanced paramedics and London‘s air ambulance.
“We treated three people at the scene and took two to a London major trauma centre and one to hospital.”
The Met has urged people to stay away from the area after the suspect fled the scene.
In a statement, police said: “A firearm, believed to be a shotgun, was discharged from the moped in the vicinity of Clapham Common South Side.
“While we await formal assessments, at this stage we don’t believe any of those injured to be in a life-threatening condition.
“A crime scene is in place and urgent enquiries to trace the moped are ongoing. There have been no arrests at this stage.
“Firearms officers are searching the area.”
A local barber said he was left “shocked” after hearing shooting close to his shop near Clapham Common.
The man, who gave his name as Kaka, 34, who works in Chop Barbers, told PA: “I was in the shop just before 5 and I heard a gunshot up the road.
“We were all shocked because it was so close, the police were everywhere afterwards.”
A moped could be seen left on the pavement on Clapham Common South Side.
Forensics were working in and around The Belle Vue pub.
Another witness, who was in the Belle Vue pub at the time of the attack, said two women were left bleeding after being shot inside the pub.
Henry Smith told MailOnline: “There was a really loud bang and broken glass. There were two people who ran past the window having crashed their moped.
“There was a crashed moped outside and they shot a shotgun through the window.
“I’m not sure if they were aiming for someone. Two women got shot in the pub. They were alright but bleeding.
“One was shot on the side of the head or got hit by shotgun shrapnel.”
Witnesses said a woman walking on Clapham South Side was shot in the leg.
A passer-by said: “I didn’t see blood but I saw her touching her leg in pain. The other victims I’m not so sure of.
“They must’ve been trying to shoot at the police officer behind them but ended up hitting bystanders.”
She added two men were wearing all black clothes.
The witness saw how the suspects quickly dropped the weapon believed to be a shotgun before fleeing the busy high street.
The police is urging anyone with information to come forward and call 101 with the reference CAD 5008/1 Mar.