CHURCH SHOOTING 'CHAOS'
Mum in her 40s brutally gunned down in horror ‘drive-by’ shooting while leaving wake in front of terrified churchgoers
People were leaving a church service to see bodies on the ground, says neighbour
A "BRILLIANT" mum was killed and two men were injured after a gunman opened fire in a suspected drive-by shooting at a wake.
The victim, in her 40s, was among 120 people leaving a church service in Brent, North West London.
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Two men were also injured in the attack outside the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church at 9.15pm on Saturday.
Members of the congregation were heard screaming after the service as dozens ducked for cover.
The mum, described by a pal as a “brilliant woman” was hit and died at the scene in front of weeping onlookers.
The pal said: “She was a light in all of our lives. She adored her children and worked hard to give them a happy life.
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“She didn’t deserve this. No one does.”
Two men in their 30s were also shot, with one fighting for his life and another believed to have been hit in the ankle.
Hours after the shooting a distraught relative arrived at the scene and was heard screaming: “tell me this isn’t real” before being consoled by cops.
Pastor Lawrence Larbie said those injured were visiting on Saturday for the wake of an elderly member of the church.
He said: “There was chaos and pandemonium. The meeting came to an abrupt end. People knew the persons who had been shot.”
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He added: “They came with very deadly, evil intentions to cause death.”
A neighbour said: “People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.
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“I heard a lot of crying and screaming.”
Another fearful resident, 50, said: “I just hope whoever was killed was innocent and this doesn’t become a back and forth situation.”
A resident who lives nearby and did not wish to be named, said they heard five gunshots fired in a row.
Another terrified local said her daughter got home just minutes before the horror.
She said: "My daughter came though the door 10 minutes before it happened.
"My son thought there were fireworks, then I heard my neighbour screaming and I realised there was a shooting.
"It's crazy, it's sad. It's scary, it does not feel safe.
"I've lived here since 2008 and I've never heard anything like this before."
Forensics officers were seen combing the scene and checking under cars yesterday and a white and yellow evidence tent was seen in the road.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said there has been no arrest and enquiries into the circumstances continue.
Superintendent Tony Josephs said: “This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.
“I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.
“If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us.
“A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.”
Video from the scene on Sunday morning show road closures still in place as forensics continue to comb the scene.
Police vans and officers also remain on the street.
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Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 quoting CAD7137/14Dec.
You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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