Mother of shot schoolgirl, eight, screamed 'My baby, my baby!'

The mother of an eight-year-old schoolgirl who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in West London was heard shouting, 'My baby, my baby's been shot.'

Armed police officers were called to Southern Row in Kensington, at 5.34pm on Sunday following reports of gunfire. 

Witnesses say they heard 'four or five shots' and screaming, as the gunman opened fire on a property on the street. 

One witness, 64, told Metro: 'I heard shots, and then a woman shouting: 'My baby, my baby's been shot…it makes me sick to think about it now.

'There were four or five shots, there was screaming it's horrible. A neighbour went out Ruth a duvet to cover the injured.' 

Metropolitan Police are now on the hunt for the Ladbroke Grove gunman after the girl and a 34-year-old man were both seriously injured in the shooting. 

They were both treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service before being rushed to hospital. 

Police said the girl's injuries are not life-threatening, but officers are awaiting an update on the man's condition.

A witness said a man was 'shooting directly into a car' in an incident which left an eight-year-old girl seriously injured in Ladbroke Grove, west London, on Sunday.

Sharon, who was in the area to visit her mother, told the PA news agency: 'The guy was shooting directly into a car.

'I was literally coming out of the exit to my mum's block of flats and as I was going out, I saw a guy shooting into the car multiple times.

'He was firing directly, like at close range as if you're standing to open a door, they were shooting directly into it.

'I was completely in shock and I just ran back up the stairs because I was really scared.'

'Then I looked and I heard screaming afterwards, and then people coming out to call the police.

Sharon, who did not wish to give her surname, added: 'I've noticed in the last several years, it has become a lot more unsafe for the people here.'   

Superintendent Owen Renowden said: 'This is an appalling incident that has left two people seriously injured, including a young girl who thankfully is in a stable condition this morning.

'I am appealing to the public who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting. Did you hear any gunshots around 5.30pm yesterday evening? Did you see anyone fleeing from the area?

'We are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information surrounding this incident. Your information matters, no matter how insignificant you may think it is.' 

A 32-year-old woman was also taken to hospital as a precaution but was not injured. 

Several roads in Ladbroke Grove and Maida Vale remain heavily cordoned off as forensic teams scour for evidence, including bullet casings and damage caused to the targeted property.

Residents in the area reported hearing helicopters overhead and witnessed police vehicles with sirens passing through the streets.   

Uber driver Ali Hussein told Metro he heard four or five gunshots but thought they were fireworks. 

'Now I know it was a shooting. It's very scary. Especially as I have children. I have a daughter, 9, so I fear for my children.'

Other residents expressed concern about the rise in violent crime in the area.

In July of this year, a 15-year-old boy was shot dead at Emslie Horniman's Pleasance, or 'Teletubbies Park' on Southern Row. 

The boy was enjoying a 'family fun day' event before Notting Hill Carnival when he was shot and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

A security officer who was working at the event said: 'A teenager was assassinated. I was right there. People were rushing and everyone was screaming. They were rushing through the barrier. There were two gunshots. 

'We had booked the street that's cordoned off for a film shoot tomorrow. I don't know if that's going to happen now.'

Another security officer for a nearby building said he saw a a helicopter at five or six PM. 

Police enquiries into the incident on Sunday are ongoing.