Clapham shooting – live: Suspects still at large and identities unknown after three injured

Detectives are still urgently trying to identify the suspects involved in an incident in Clapham which left two people with shotgun pellet injuries after a police chase in south London.

Officers were pursuing two people on a moped which failed to stop in Clapham on Friday evening when the bike collided with a member of the public and crashed shortly afterwards, the Metropolitan Police said.

“Officers have established that one of the suspects was in possession of a shotgun which was discharged as it struck the ground having been dropped while the suspects fled on foot,” Scotland Yard said in an update on Saturday afternoon.

Two women in the street, aged 27 and 36 years, sustained shotgun pellet injuries. They were not deliberately targeted, police said. All three victims have now been released from hospital.

Police had swarmed the high street and a witness told The Independent a gun was recovered by officers at the scene.

DCI Gemma Alger said: “Our investigation to identify the two people responsible is at an early stage, but we will be relentless in following up every line of enquiry to arrest them.”

Key Points

• Shotgun discharged as it hit the ground while suspects fled, police say

• Suspects still at large and identities unknown, Scotland Yard says

• Witness says moped ‘crashed right in front of me'

• Female bystander ‘shot in leg’

Thank you for following our live coverage

23:37 , Holly Evans

We are now closing the live blog for this incident.

Check our homepage for any new updates.

Senior Met Commander thanks officers risking harm to track down suspects

21:19 , Holly Evans

A senior Metropolitan Police commander has given his thoughts to those injured in last night’s shooting and thanked fellow officers who are seeking to arrest the suspects.

Manhunt continues for ‘reckless’ suspects

19:58 , Holly Evans

A manhunt continues into the two suspects were were riding on the back of a moped, leading to a police chase which saw a shotgun discharged.

DCI Gemma Alger, Specialist Crime, said: “Our investigation to identify the two people responsible is at an early stage, but we will be relentless in following up every line of enquiry to arrest them.

“The suspects fled the scene on foot. Crime scenes remain in place in St Alphonsus Road as forensic searches are ongoing at premises where the suspects made off through gardens.

When and where did the shooting happen?

18:45 , Holly Evans

The shooting happened just before 5pm on Friday as police were in pursuit of a moped that failed to stop.

Pictures from the scene appear to show a bullet hole through the window of the Belle Bue pub in Clapham Common as the suspect’s moped was left abandoned across the road.

The incident happened near the busy Clapham Common station, with one witness revealing that she was nearly struck by the motorbike as it careered onto the pavement as she got off at Clapham Common Tube station.

Sian Cole told The Independent: “It was very scary due to it being rush hour and there were so many people present at the scene. I was walking and the motorbike just crashed right in front of me.”

Pictures from the scene

17:24 , Holly Evans

Police say they will be ‘relentless’ in search for suspects

16:13 , Andy Gregory

DCI Gemma Alger, Specialist Crime, said: “Our investigation to identify the two people responsible is at an early stage, but we will be relentless in following up every line of enquiry to arrest them.

“The suspects fled the scene on foot. Crime scenes remain in place in St Alphonsus Road as forensic searches are ongoing at premises where the suspects made off through gardens.

“The shotgun was recovered from the scene and this will also be subject to forensic analysis.

“I want to hear from anyone with information about the incident and any witnesses yet to speak with police. CCTV footage will form part of our investigation, and of course I also want to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage that may assist the investigation.

‘’Local Officers will be in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.’’

Shotgun fired by mistake as it hit to the ground, police say

15:32 , Andy Gregory

The shotgun which injured two people in Clapham yesterday is believed to have discharged by accident as it was dropped by one of the suspects in a police chase as they fled on foot, after their moped crashed, Scotland Yard has said.

The Met has informed the police watchog about the incident, in which three people were injured, two with shotgun pellet wounds.

The force said: “At 16:55hrs on Friday, 1 March, police were in pursuit of a moped being ridden by two people who had failed to stop in the Clapham area. In the course of this pursuit the moped collided with a member of the public and crashed a short while later. The pedestrian – a 27-year-old man – was taken to hospital for treatment.

“Officers have established that one of the suspects was in possession of a shotgun which was discharged as it struck the ground having been dropped while the suspects fled on foot.

“Two women in the street, aged 27 and 36 years, sustained shotgun pellet injuries. They were not deliberately targeted. They were also taken to hospital by ambulance. All three victims have now been released from hospital.

“Since the moped had been pursued by police, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is aware of the incident and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed. There have been no arrests at this stage.”

Suspects still at large and identities unknown after three injured

15:28 , Andy Gregory

Urgent enquiries are still ongoing to identify the suspects involved in the firearms incident in Clapham yesterday evening, the Metropolitan Police has said in a new update.

All three injured people have now left hospital and urgent enquiries are ongoing to identify the suspects whose reckless actions led to the discharge of the weapon, Scotland Yard said.

Full report: Three injured in Clapham after shots fired by moped rider being chased by police

14:57 , Andy Gregory

Three people have been injured after shots were fired by a moped rider who was being chased by police in south London.

Officers had been pursuing the moped after it failed to stop in the Clapham area just before 5pm on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force added that a firearm, believed to be a shotgun, was discharged from the moped near The Belle Vue pub in Clapham Common.

Two people suffered shotgun pellet injuries, while a third was injured by the moped. The suspects then fled the scene and officers are attempting to trace the moped.

My colleague Barney Davis has the full report here:

Three injured in Clapham after shots fired by moped rider being chased by police

Where did the shooting take place?

13:41 , Andy Gregory

When and where did the shooting happen?

12:43 , Athena Stavrou

The shooting happened just before 5pm on Friday as police were in pursuit of a moped that failed to stop.

Pictures from the scene appear to show a bullet hole through the window of the Belle Bue pub in Clapham Common as the suspect’s moped was left abandoned across the road.

The incident happened near the busy Clapham Common station, with one witness revealing that she was nearly struck by the motorbike as it careered onto the pavement as she got off at Clapham Common Tube station.

Sian Cole told The Independent: “It was very scary due to it being rush hour and there were so many people present at the scene. I was walking and the motorbike just crashed right in front of me.”

Everything we know about the Clapham moped shooting

10:52 , Andy Gregory

Residents in southwest London were horrified after a man opened fire near Clapham Common during rush hour.

Police are still searching for the gunman after three people were injured and taken to hospital as a result of the incident.

Two men being chased by the police fell off their moped before opening fire as police officers and ambulances swarmed the high street after of reports of a shooting outside The Belle Vue pub.

Dramatic photos of the scene show the moped in question lying across the pavement and a bullet hole through the window of the pub.

My colleague Athena Stavrou has more in this report:

Everything we know about the Clapham moped shooting

Met Police statement in full

08:51 , Andy Gregory

Here is the Met Police statement in full following yesterday’s events in Clapham:

“An investigation has been launched following a firearms incident in south London. At 16:55hrs on Friday, 1 March police were in pursuit of a moped being ridden by two people that had failed to stop in the Clapham area.

“A firearm, believed to be a shotgun, was discharged from the moped in the vicinity of Clapham Common South Side. Two people sustained shotgun pellet injuries. A third person was injured by the moped. The suspects fled the scene on foot. A firearm was recovered from the scene.

“London Ambulance Service paramedics have taken the injured people to hospital. While we await formal assessments, at this stage we don’t believe any of those injured to be in a life-threatening condition.

“A crime scene is in place and urgent enquiries are ongoing. There have been no arrests at this stage. Firearms officers are searching the area.”

Senior Met Commander thanks officers risking harm to track down suspects

08:03 , Andy Gregory

A senior Metropolitan Police commander has given his thoughts to those injured in last night’s shooting and thanked fellow officers who are seeking to arrest the suspects.

Video report: Three injured after gunman opens fire outside pub

07:26 , Andy Gregory

Three injured after shots fired by moped rider being chased by police

07:00 , Jane Dalton

Full report:

Three injured in Clapham after shots fired by moped rider being chased by police

In pictures: Police hunt for suspects after dark

05:30 , Jane Dalton

MP hopes wounded make swift recovery

04:10 , Jane Dalton

The MP for Clapham said she was praying the wounded would make a swift recovery.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy wrote on social media that police don’t believe the injuries are life-threatening.

“Praying that this is the case and all three make a swift recovery,” she wrote, adding a reference for anyone with information to give.

Police forensics search under way

02:30 , Jane Dalton

Forensics officers were working in and around The Belle Vue pub after a gun was found at the scene.

Air ambulance called

01:01 , Jane Dalton

An air ambulance was sent to Clapham to help the injured when crews were called around 5pm on Friday.

London Ambulance Service said: “We sent a number of resources including ambulance crews, operational managers, advanced paramedics and London’s air ambulance.

“We treated three people at the scene, and took two to a London major trauma centre and one to hospital.”

Moped is not taxed

Friday 1 March 2024 23:01 , Jane Dalton

The abandoned scooter is untaxed, official registration records show.

Moped still left in street

Friday 1 March 2024 22:00 , Jane Dalton

A moped could be seen left on the pavement on Clapham Common South Side.

Moped riders fell off, says witness

Friday 1 March 2024 21:10 , Jane Dalton

A witness wrote on social media that the moped riders had fallen off it before shooting.

“I saw it all firsthand. Two guys on motorbike fell off on corner between Tube station n Sainsburys after chase from police officers. They ran down towards Brixton and pulled out a shotgun and shot a girl crossing the street in the leg,” she wrote.

Moped rider failed to stop, say police

Friday 1 March 2024 20:38 , Jane Dalton

Officers had been chasing the moped whose rider fired shots after it failed to stop in the Clapham area, police have revealed.

They cordoned off roads as they tried to trace the rider.

More pictures from the scene of Clapham Common shooting

Friday 1 March 2024 19:52 , Barney Davis

Friday 1 March 2024 19:46 , Barney Davis

First pictures of overturned bike used by suspects to flee police

Friday 1 March 2024 19:35 , Barney Davis

‘It could have hit any of us’

Friday 1 March 2024 19:31 , Barney Davis

Sian Cole said she was nearly struck by the motorbike as it careered onto the pavement with police in pursuit as she got off at Clapham Common Tube station.

She told The Independent: “It was very scary due to it being rush hour and there were so many people present at the scene.

“I was walking and the motorbike just crashed right in front of me.

“And then I saw them get up and run. Only then did I realise the police cars because I had my Airpods in.

“So I stopped the music and then heard the shot. It could’ve hit any of us.

“It hit a woman in the leg. They were aiming it back behind them.”

Pub window appears to be shot in Clapham Common

Friday 1 March 2024 19:24 , Barney Davis

The window of the Belle Vue pub in Clapham Common appears to have been shattered in the rush hour shooting.

Witness to the aftermath of the shotgun attack which saw three injured Christopher Peters told The Independent: “I saw well over 10 stationary police cars blocking the crossroad.

“There was police tape, ambulances, a helicopter overhead, more police cars arriving at high speed from the Clapham North and Clapham junction directions.

“Then I could see what looked like a motorbike on its side. And what looked like a bullet hole in the window of the pub on that crossroads.”

Three people injured say London Ambulance Service

Friday 1 March 2024 19:16 , Barney Davis

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said three people were injured, with two taken to a major trauma centre.

He said: “We were called today at 4.59pm to reports of an incident in Clapham Common South Side.

“We sent a number of resources including ambulance crews, operational managers, advanced paramedics and London’s air ambulance.

“We treated three people at the scene and took two to a London major trauma centre and one to hospital.”

One female bystander shot in the leg, according to witness

Friday 1 March 2024 19:14 , Barney Davis

One woman walking on Clapham South Side during a busy rush hour was shot in the leg as two men on a moped fired a shotgun at pursuing police officers.

A witness said: “I didn’t see blood but I saw her touching her leg in pain. The other victims I’m not so sure of.

“They must’ve been trying to shoot at the police officer behind them but ended up hitting bystanders.”

She added the two were wearing all black clothes and quickly dropping the weapon believed to be a shotgun before fleeing the busy high street.

Local barber recalls shooting unfolding

Friday 1 March 2024 19:06 , Katy Clifton

A local barber said he was left “shocked” after hearing shooting close to his shop near Clapham Common.

The man, who gave his name as Kaka, 34, who works in Chop Barbers, said: “I was in the shop just before 5 and I heard a gunshot up the road.

“We were all shocked because it was so close, the police were everywhere afterwards.”

Several roads in the area have been cordoned off.

Two men on a motorbike ‘firing at bystanders randomly’ before crashing into the pavement - witness says

Friday 1 March 2024 18:54 , Barney Davis

Two men on a motorbike fired a gun randomly at bystanders before crashing into the pavement nearly hitting one witness in Clapham.

She said: “Anyone who was shot were just strangers crossing the street. The motorbike crashed right in front of me.

“They fell off the bike and began running towards Brixton and must’ve been trying to shoot at the police officer behind them but ended up hitting bystanders.”

She added the two were wearing all black clothes and quickly dropping the weapon believed to be a shotgun.

”They threw the gun into the street pretty quickly after firing”, she added.

Two shot and third injured by moped in Clapham

Friday 1 March 2024 18:46 , Barney Davis

Hello and welcome to our live blog on the incident unfolding in Clapham this evening.

Two people have suffered gunshot wounds and a third has been injured by a moped by suspects who fled the scene, the Met Police said.

The force said a firearm, believed to be a shotgun, was left at the scene in Clapham Common South side.

A Met spokesman said: “At 4.55pm on Friday police were in pursuit of a moped that had failed to stop in the Clapham area.

“A firearm, believed to be a shotgun, was discharged from the moped in the vicinity of Clapham Common South Side. Two people sustained shotgun pellet injuries. A third person was injured by the moped. The suspects fled the scene.”

He added: “While we await formal assessments, at this stage we don’t believe any of those injured to be in a life-threatening condition. A crime scene is in place and urgent enquiries to trace the moped are ongoing. There have been no arrests at this stage. Firearms officers are searching the area.”

We’ll bring you all the latest updates as we get them.