Detectives have released images of the prime suspect in a recent multiple shooting in east London, as the parents of one of the victims reveal the nine-year-old may never "speak or walk properly again."
The girl still remains in critical condition in hospital 49 days after the shooting in Dalston.
She was eating dinner with her family at a restaurant in Kingsland High Street on May 29 when a lone motorcyclist fired shots towards the building.
Three men sitting outside the restaurant were also shot and injured but were discharged from hospital a few days later.
Scotland Yard has now released images of a motorcyclist detectives believe was the gunman.
The three images were captured in the Dalston area, before and after the incident.
The girl still remains in critical condition in hospital 49 days after the shooting in DalstonPADetective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “I am making a renewed appeal for information relating to the shooting in Hackney, on Wednesday 29 May, which left three men injured and a nine-year-old girl in a critical condition.
“Our investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together what happened and to identify the dangerous individuals responsible for this shocking and indiscriminate act of violence.
“They are now in a position to release images of a suspect on a motorcycle that they are working to trace. We believe the motorcycle has been in the Peckham and Crystal Palace areas.”
Conway added: “Anyone who saw this motorcycle or who can help us identify the rider is urged to contact us immediately.
The images were captured in the Dalston area, before and after the incident
PA
The police have renewed an appeal for information relating to the shooting
PA
“Whoever this person is, they are dangerous and must be removed from our streets.”
A statement from the parents of the nine-year-old victim confirmed their daughter was still seriously ill and had a long road ahead, with no guarantees of a full recovery.
The parents said: “We are devastated about what has happened. Our daughter remains stable but in a critical condition.
“She only went there for ice cream and now we do not know if we will ever get our daughter back to being the smart, funny girl that she was before and whether she will be able to ever speak or move properly again.”
They added: “We need our child back and we are all praying for her full recovery.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Conway said the Met were investigating “a critical line of inquiry” – a potential link to organised criminal networks originating in Turkey.
“The nine-year-old girl who was injured was simply out having dinner with her family. She remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition,” he said.
“You might be a friend, partner or a family member of someone that you suspect may be involved. I urge you to search your heart to understand if your loyalty to friends or associates extends to covering up for an innocent child being shot.”
