A man has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in a shooting outside a London restaurant that left a nine-year-old girl seriously injured and three men wounded.
What Happened
Javon Riley, 33, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to life in prison with a minimum term of 34 years after being found guilty of causing grievous harm with intent to the nine-year-old girl, as well as attempting to murder three men—Mustafa Kiziltan, 35, Kenan Aydogdu, 45, and Nasser Ali, 44. Riley was part of a long-running gang feud between Turkish gangs in north London, where he acted as a spotter and getaway driver in the shooting.
On May 29, 2024, Riley assisted in the shooting at the Evin Restaurant in Kingsland High Street, Hackney. As the girl sat with her family at the restaurant, a man on a motorbike fired six bullets, hitting the girl in the head and injuring the three men. The girl, who still has a bullet lodged in her brain, spent three months in the hospital and will suffer lifelong physical and cognitive problems. The men were shot in the arm, leg, and thigh, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Reactions
The case has drawn attention to the ongoing violence linked to gang rivalries in London, particularly involving the Hackney Turks and Tottenham Turks gangs. Judge Mark Lucraft KC noted that the rivalry had led to a series of “tit for tat” murders and attempted murders both in London and overseas over the past decade. Prosecutors have emphasized Riley’s key role in the attack, particularly his actions before, during, and after the shooting.
Riley had conducted reconnaissance of the restaurant, scouted the potential targets, and drove the gunman away in a stolen car. The gunman, who remains at large, fired the shots, and Riley later admitted to picking up the gunman after the attack, though he claimed he thought the incident was a “smash-and-grab” robbery.
The nine-year-old girl’s family has been left devastated by the senseless violence, and Scotland Yard is offering up to £15,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the gunman. Meanwhile, Riley’s actions have raised concerns about the escalating gang violence in the city.
What’s Next
The gunman remains on the run, and police are continuing their efforts to track down the individual responsible for the shooting. Scotland Yard has issued a reward for anyone with information that could help bring the shooter to justice. Despite Riley’s conviction, the investigation is far from over as authorities pursue those still involved in the violent gang conflicts.
As for Riley, his lengthy prison sentence serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of getting involved in gang violence. The impact of his actions will forever be felt by the young girl and the families of the three men who were injured in the attack. His refusal to name those higher up in the gang ranks further complicates the case, but it remains a high priority for law enforcement to uncover the full extent of the criminal network involved.
This is a developing story. We will update this article as more information becomes available.
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