Terrified families hid in shops while gang member, 21, fired gun at rival in Tottenham street

Terrified families were forced to hide in shops after a gang shootout in broad daylight. At 8pm on May 27 last year a blue R-Type VW Golf sped along Park Lane, Tottenham before coming to an abrupt stop.

A man wearing a balaclava was seen pulling a firearm from his waistband, which he then fired wildly towards the vehicle. An occupant of the vehicle also had a gun and attempted to fire back but the weapon jammed. The car sped off while the man left the scene on foot

Ricardo Anderson, 21, of Manor Road in Tottenham, was convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and attempted grievous bodily harm on April 10.

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Investigating officer Detective Constable Rhiain John said: “This incident took place in a busy street, on a warm summer’s evening where people were out and shops were open. Terrified onlookers including children sought refuge in shops and scrambled for safety behind parked cars.

“Ricardo Anderson had absolutely no concern for them at all. But for sheer luck this could have been a murder investigation. From our enquiries we established the incident was part of an ongoing dispute involving rival gangs in the area.

“We worked tirelessly using CCTV, witness and forensic evidence that would help prove Anderson’s guilt. These kinds of offences are taken incredibly seriously and we do everything in our power to identify and prosecute those responsible.”

Armed police were deployed to the area following the shooting but initially those involved could not be found. Detectives began investigating immediately and recovered a number of shell casings.

They began examining CCTV and found that only around half an hour earlier a group had been congregating in the area to film a music video. One man was captured wearing a distinctive blue North Face tracksuit, black trainers, and a balaclava. He would be the man later seen firing at the car.

CCTV footage from a nearby shop captured the same man without his face covered, allowing officers to identify him as Ricardo Anderson.

He was arrested on May 31 and charged on June 1, 2023. He will be sentenced on Wednesday, 22 May. The vehicle involved was later traced and found to have been stolen. Despite extensive enquiries the occupants were not identified.

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