Two men have been shot near the O2 Academy Islington, with one left with life-changing injuries, police have confirmed.
Officers were called to Parkfield Street in Islington at 10.25pm yesterday (27 October) following reports of a shooting. Two men, aged 33 and 27, were each found with a gunshot wound.
The London Ambulance Service sent ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and paramedics from its Tactical Response Unit, and a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance was also dispatched by car. Both men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, although the 33-year-old’s injuries have been assessed as life-changing.
Police have cordoned off Liverpool Road, with tape up near several shops stretching from H&M to Uniqlo and towards the entrance to Angel Central. Photographs from the scene show police cars along the road and the entrance to the Angel Central shopping centre closed off. Police have told us that the Angel Centre remains closed as they conduct enquiries at the scene.
No arrests have been made, and an investigation is under way, with extensive enquiries ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in the area, said: “This was an incredibly reckless incident in a busy area close to a major venue and no doubt caused significant fear among members of the public. Violence has no place in our communities, and we are pursuing every available line of enquiry to identify those involved. There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, and anyone with concerns is urged to speak to officers.”
He added: “We recognise the impact this is having, and we are grateful for the understanding and cooperation of the community. We are working with our partners to reopen the venue as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 7386/27OCT, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Two shows were taking place at the venue on the night of the shooting (27 October) — Lewisham rapper Catch and pop-rock band Afterdrive, performing on another stage. Afterdrive cut their show short and were placed in lockdown because of the emergency incident outside the venue, the band later said, apologising to fans they did not get to meet at the end of the night. Catch praised her show on social media without referring to the shooting.
A fan who was inside the venue during the Afterdrive show on the night of the shooting described the evening as “surreal”. He said the band stopped in the middle of a song, came back on stage moments later to announce the audience was in lockdown, and played another song while they waited to find out what was happening. Venue staff told the crowd there had been an altercation outside and that they were being kept inside for their safety, before the audience was evacuated through the rear of the venue. He said everyone remained relatively calm but there was a sense of urgency, and that once outside they saw a significant emergency services presence, road closures and police cordons. He only learned this morning that two people had been shot nearby.
Several shows are scheduled at the O2 Academy Islington this evening (28 October) — Conway the Machine at 7pm, followed by Runaway Club — and whether they go ahead while the cordon is in place remains unclear.
This is a developing story. Live updates will be added below as further information is confirmed.
Live updates:
London Streets is also following an earlier stabbing investigation in Finsbury Park and a stabbing investigation in Stanmore.
