A SCHOOLGIRL is fighting for her life after being caught in the crossfire of alleged gang warfare while eating dinner with her family.
Three innocent men were also injured when a gunman opened fire outside a Turkish restaurant in Hackney, north-east London, just before 9.20pm yesterday.
Met Police this afternoon revealed the youngster, nine, was fighting for her life in hospital.
Chief Superintendent James Conway said the schoolgirl had been enjoying dinner inside Evin restaurant with her family when the horror struck.
Did you see the horror unfold last night? Call 0207 860 1129 or email jane.matthews@news.co.uk
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The top cop said: "She was an innocent victim of the indiscriminate nature of gun crime."
He also confirmed the three men injured in the drive-by, aged 26, 37 and 42, had been sitting outside the restaurant.
Chief Sup Conway pleaded for witnesses to come forward as officers worked to find the gunman, who he said had been riding a stolen motorbike.
People in the area told The Sun how they are terrified of the alleged gang warfare and scared of more attacks.
A lady on Stoke Newington Road, around 50 metres from the cordon, trembled as she said: "They [gangs] are terrifying. I am very scared of them."
A barber, who works near the scene and wished to remain anonymous, said in recent months he has feared getting caught up in violence.
He cited an incident in Tottenham earlier this year where he claims he was intimidated by a group.
The man described a "constant tension" which could get worse following Wednesday night's shooting.
He told The Sun: "This is a historical issue. It runs very deep. It is a constant tension and I am worried this time. This shooting is bad."
The owner of a nearby launderette says he suspects Wednesday night's shooting is also rooted in alleged gang warfare carried out by men in their 20s.
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He told The Sun: "A motorbike came along the High Street and stopped outside Evin restaurant.
"He started shooting at the restaurant and then drove off.
"All of the local shops have had problems with them. They break in and demand money."
Cops were still scouring the scene this afternoon, inching slowly on their hands and knees outside the restaurant.
The Sun today exclusively obtained CCTV footage of the moment gunshots rang through the streets, before a bike sped off.
A man on foot appears to start running after hearing the commotion behind him.
Witnesses have also told of screams echoing down the streets and hero bystanders jumping into action as people were gunned down last night.
Footage showed armed police and paramedics swooping on the scene in Kingsland High Street.
The four victims were rushed to a nearby hospital.
One anonymous diner at the Evin restaurant said he used his coat to stop a man's leg bleeding.
He told the Hackney Gazette: "There was a big group having dinner in the rear.
"I couldn't get my usual table so got one close to the front window.
"The big group paid up and left and shortly afterwards that's when the loud bangs - which were obviously gunshots - happened."
While the owner of nearby Dalston Jazz Bar said terrified bystanders fled the scene "screaming" as gunshots rang out.
He told The Sun: "They shut everywhere down. It was a guy on a motorbike doing the shooting.
"Police saw a helmet and started crowding around it because they thought it might be his."
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: "We know Londoners will be shocked by what has taken place tonight.
"Our thoughts go to all those affected. Fast moving enquiries are under way and we will update as soon as we can.
She was an innocent victim of the indiscriminate nature of gun crime
James Conway
"If anyone has any information, please contact us."
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 9.21pm on Wednesday 29 May to reports of a shooting on Kingsland High Street, Hackney.
"We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, incident response officers and members of our tactical response unit.
"We also dispatched a trauma team from London Air Ambulance, which consisted of a doctor and a paramedic in a car.
"We treated three adults and one child at the scene before taking them all to a major trauma centre."
Anyone with information that can help police should call 101 or post @MetCC reference CAD 8082/29May.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
