A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a nine-year-old girl who was shot in the head in a drive-by attack in east London.
The youngster was out with her family when a lone motorcyclist fired multiple shots towards a restaurant in Kingsland High Street, Dalston, on May 29.
She suffered critical injuries and has remained in hospital for more than two months since the incident, where she is said to now be in a stable condition.
Her parents revealed last month that she may never ‘speak or move properly’ again.
Footage of the horrific shooting showed a gunman riding a stolen motorbike firing five shots as families dived for cover under tables before speeding off.
Three other men, aged 37, 42 and 44, were also injured in the incident in Hackney at around 9.20pm but were released from hospital a few days later.
Javon Reily, of Farnborough Road, Farnborough, was arrested yesterday in Chelsea Embankment after Met Police officers stopped a vehicle he was travelling in.
The 32-year-old has now been charged with four counts of attempted murder and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.
Detective chief superintendent James Conway said: ‘Today’s charges are a significant development in what has been a painstaking and meticulous investigation.
‘I would like to pay credit to those from our communities who came forward to speak to us.
‘Our thoughts remain with our young victim and her family as they continue to confront the devastating effects of gun crime.’
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The child’s family previously described how they were ‘devastated’ about what happened.
‘She only went there for ice cream,’ they said. ‘And now we do not know if we will ever get our daughter back to being the smart, funny girl that she was before and whether she will be able to ever speak or move properly again.
‘We need our child back and we are all praying for her full recovery.’
Detective chief inspector Joanna Yorke, who is leading the investigation, added: ‘My team continues to work around the clock in order to establish the facts of this incident.
‘This is very much still an ongoing investigation and we urge those who have information to come forward.
‘We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has information about the identity of an individual seen on a motorcycle in Kingsland High Street at the time of this offence.’
A 35-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and assisting an offender has been released on bail.
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