3 Teenagers Shot, One Critically, in Haringey, London

File photo of a general view of the sign at the New Scotland Yard building in Victoria on January 27, 2011, in London, England. Oli Scarff/Getty Images

A 19-year-old man is in a critical condition, a 15-year-old boy has life-changing injuries, and another 15-year-old boy has serious injuries following a shooting in Haringey, North London, according to police.

Both local and armed officers were sent to the scene after police were called just before 1 a.m. on Thursday, with reports of gunshots at Rochford Car Park, Willan Road, London, N17.

They set up three crime scenes nearby after finding all three black male teenagers with gunshot wounds.

The teenagers were taken to hospital and their next of kin informed.

The police said it is believed a gunman arrived by car, shot the three teenagers, then left in that same car. No arrests have yet been made.

“Young men have been shot, one is critically injured and another has injuries that may mean his life has changed forever. We want to stop these acts of violence and we can only do this by people telling us what they know,” Detective Inspector Gemma Alger of the Metropolitan Police said in a police appeal for information on the incident.

Alger thanked those who had already come forward and asked for information, even if not thought suspicious, on possible sightings of a car in the area before the shootings, any dashcam footage, or anyone spotting a car “driven erratically from the scene.”

“At this early stage we are pursuing different lines of inquiry, including that this incident could be gang-related,” a police spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

Stopping Violent Crime

Commander Paul Brogden of the Met’s Frontline Policing said the police are working hard to stop “violent and senseless crime” in the city but that they need the help of Londoners to “break the cycle of violence.”

“It is important that we all contribute, in many different ways, towards keeping our communities safe,” he said in the appeal. “Please continue to do so wherever you are and whatever role you’re in.”

North Area Commander, Detective Chief Superintendent Treena Fleming, said that extra officers will be deployed in the area to investigate the crime and to reassure residents.

“These are your officers, they are there for you, and I would encourage anyone with questions to approach and speak to them,” she said in a statement.

The police need to know the identities of those “willing to commit terrible acts and carry weapons” and about anyone involved in organised crime, she said.

Officers will listen to individuals and community leaders to investigate ways to prevent young people from being killed and injured on the streets.

“These incidents cannot be tolerated, a society cannot be indifferent to the plight of young people who are being injured and killed on our streets,” she said.

“Alone, neither you nor I can stop these terrible crimes, we have to work together.”

The police appeal urged anyone with information who does not want to contact the police directly to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.