What was supposed to be a simple evening out at a Turkish restaurant in Dalston, east London, quickly descended into chaos when gunfire erupted.
Families enjoying dinner were forced to run for cover as bullets tore through the scene, and in the middle of it all, a nine-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire.
That single moment changed her life — and her family’s — forever.
The Targeted Attack That Went Wrong
According to police, the shooting was linked to a long-standing feud between two notorious London gangs: the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Bombers.
Three alleged members of the Hackney Bombers were dining outside Evin restaurant when a motorbike-riding gunman sprayed six bullets in their direction.
Instead of just hitting the intended targets, one bullet struck a little girl in the head as she sat with her family, enjoying ice cream.
A Miracle Survival With Lasting Consequences
Doctors described her survival as nothing short of a miracle.
After more than three months in hospital, she now lives with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still lodged in her brain.
Her mother described the devastating impact in a heartbreaking statement, explaining how her once lively, adventurous daughter now struggles with weakness on her left side, slower physical growth, and invisible emotional scars.
The Feud Behind the Violence
The roots of this violent conflict trace back to a battle for dominance over the UK’s lucrative heroin trade.
Over the years, there have been dozens of violent clashes between the two gangs, including more than 20 shootings and multiple murders.
This brazen attack was yet another chapter in their bloody rivalry.
The Man Convicted for His Role
Javon Riley, 33, was found guilty of attempted murder for his part in the failed hit.
Prosecutors argued he was instrumental in planning and supporting the gunman, even conducting surveillance beforehand.
Evidence showed he sat in a nearby bar sipping cocktails as he monitored the restaurant before the shooting.
On the day itself, he assisted with getaway vehicles — first a stolen Nissan Juke, then a Range Rover.
Riley’s Defense Falls Apart
Riley insisted he had no idea the plan involved a shooting.
He claimed he was recruited by a “third party” and promised £40,000 to take part in what he believed was a drug robbery.
But his long history of criminal activity — from stealing cars as a teenager to drug dealing and robberies — worked against him.
Despite denying the charges, the jury convicted him of attempted murder.
A Devastated Mother Speaks Out
The little girl’s mother described the toll this crime has taken on her family: “In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away.
Each day brings new challenges, from the visible physical limitations to the hidden emotional wounds. Our world no longer feels safe.”
Her words highlighted how gang violence ripples far beyond the intended targets.
Police Appeal for Answers
Investigators say the mastermind behind the shooting — the man who pulled the trigger from the Ducati motorbike — has still not been caught.
Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway called Riley’s conviction “a sliver of justice” but stressed that true justice won’t be achieved until the gunman is brought in.
Police continue to appeal to the public, urging anyone with information to step forward despite fears of gang retaliation.
A Community Shaken
Local authorities admit this attack left deep scars across the community.
Despite progress in reducing crime rates in Hackney, violent incidents like this one remind residents of the devastating impact gang rivalries can have, particularly on children and young people.
Officers and community leaders are working together to address the root causes of organized crime, but they continue to stress the importance of cooperation from locals.
What Happens Next
Riley will be sentenced on Monday, facing years in prison for his involvement.
Meanwhile, the family of the nine-year-old girl continues to adapt to a new reality shaped by tragedy.
As police renew calls for witnesses to speak out, one pressing question remains: will the gunman and those who ordered the attack ever be brought to justice?
