A teenager has described the terrifying moment gunmen opened fire on a family barbecue in south London, spraying seven bullets into the crowd without caring who they hit. The attack occurred on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton at around 1:15 am on Saturday, leaving a 25-year-old man fighting for his life and three others injured.
Witnesses Describe Chaos
An 18-year-old who was at the barbecue but wished to remain anonymous told Metro: 'It was crazy. Everybody was panicking and running for their lives. There were no issues at the party before that. It was just people chilling. There were families around. Who did this didn't care who they hit.'
The victims include a 21-year-old, a 47-year-old, and a 70-year-old, all of whom sustained more minor injuries. Blood spatter remained on the ground near discarded barbecue equipment as forensic teams scoured the scene.
Possible Connection to Stabbing
Detectives are investigating whether the shooting is linked to a stabbing on nearby Acre Lane, which left a 33-year-old man critically wounded. No arrests have been made in connection with either incident.
The shooting site is just yards from where Keelen Wong, 22, was fatally stabbed in 2023. A memorial with flowers and a commemorative bench stands on the same stretch of road, serving as a constant reminder of the violence that has plagued the area.
Residents Fear for Safety
A 28-year-old mother-of-two, whose home overlooks the barbecue spot, described the chaos: 'It was total mayhem. I heard bangs, but I thought it was fireworks set off at the barbecue across the road. There were about 50 people; they often meet there when it's sunny, and it's not usually a problem. But as soon as I saw the police and paramedics on the scene, I knew it was serious.'
'One guy who was shot was a pensioner; there were different generations at the party, my neighbours said. A stray bullet could have gone through my window. I fear for my kids. Keelen was killed just over the road, and there is a constant reminder with the memorial. We are starting to call Coldharbour Lane 'murder mile.''
Police Investigation Underway
Detective Chief Inspector Allam Bhangoo, leading the investigation, said: 'We understand how concerning this incident will be for the local community and want to reassure residents that officers are working at pace to identify those responsible. The man found on Acre Lane had multiple stab wounds and remains in a life-threatening condition, as does the man shot on Coldharbour Lane.'
Forensic officers have been collecting bullet casings and other evidence, while detectives review CCTV footage and conduct door-to-door inquiries. Extra police patrols have been deployed to reassure the public.
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
