Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after drive-by shooting outside memorial service

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a drive-by shooting outside a memorial service in London injured six people.

The Metropolitan Police says it has arrested a 22-year-old man following the shooting outside a church in Euston on Saturday afternoon. 

The incident left several people injured, including a seven-year-old girl who remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital tonight.

Detectives say the man was taken into custody after a car was stopped in Cricklewood Lane, Barnet, shortly before 4pm yesterday afternoon. 

The shooting, which took place at around 1.30pm pm on Saturday, January 14, took place as mourners attended a service for a 20-year-old British-Colombian cancer victim and her 50-year-old mother.

Family and friends of Sara Sanchez and her mother, Fresia Calderon, were at St Aloysius Church on Phoenix Road opposite Euston Railway station for the memorial.

It is reported that when members of the congregation went outside to release white doves – a symbol of peace – a man jumped out of a car and started firing into the crowd. 

Officers responded with medics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.

Three women – aged 48, 54 and 41 – were taken to a central London hospital where their injuries were assessed as non-life threatening. The 48-year-old has potentially life changing injuries.

A 21-year-old woman was also taken to a central London hospital and her condition has been assessed as non life-threatening.

At 14:05hrs, police were informed that a seven-year-old girl had been taken to a central London hospital with injuries sustained in the same incident. She remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information about what took place should call 101, giving the reference 3357/14JAN.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.