NEIGHBOURS have spoken of their shock after a teenager was shot just yards from their doorsteps in a quiet street.
Residents of Marmion Avenue, Chingford, were woken by the sound of bullets being fired and saw a group of men arguing in the street.
Many of those who spoke to the Guardian were too afraid to give their names, for fear of repercussions. One said: “I heard the gunfire, but I didn't know what it was – I thought it was fireworks.
“I heard two shots and then I saw a group of about four men arguing on the corner.
“It’s really shocking it could happen here, because it’s usually a peaceful street.”
Police were called to the scene, in an alleyway between the avenue and Hall Lane, next to South Chingford Library, at about 11.30pm on Monday.
At about the same time, police were called to an un-named north London hospital after a 19-year-old man suffering gunshot wounds to his legs turned up asking for treatment.
The teenager was later arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm after a gun was found in his car. He remains in hospital and is in a stable condition.
Another 19-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and remains in custody at an east London police station.
Residents said they were worried by the shooting in an area with many young families.
Damien McAdam, 43, said: “This is a quiet area so it is surprising this has happened.
“It is worrying for residents because there are a lot of families on this road. They are all pretty nice neighbours round here.”
Another woman, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s frightening that something like this has happened so close to home.”
The incident is being investigated by Trident, which looks into gun crimes in the black community. Gun crime in Waltham Forest has risen by five per cent over the past year.
The area where the shooting took place has seen a slight decrease in violent attacks, but has an above-borough average rate of drug offences, thefts and criminal damage.
Ritchie Holmes, 21, was gunned down after being cornered on the nearby Chingford Hall Estate in 2005.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Trident north east shootings team on (020) 8217 7355, or Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555111.
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