Boy, 18, fights for life after being shot in the street

A TEENAGER is fighting for life in hospital after being shot in the head in the street in north London.

Residents heard two shots and saw visibly upset people gather around the 18-year-old boy as paramedics fought to save his life.

One eyewitness told how she heard two shots and saw a pair of teenagers on bicycles leaving the scene as the vic tim lay slumped on the ground beside his car near Turnpike Lane.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard two loud pops and looked out the window. There were two young boys on bicycles and a guy on the ground. The two boys cycled off up Turnpike Lane without looking back. They were definitely leaving the scene at speed.”

Police and ambulances rushed to Wightman Road off Turnpike Lane after local people heard gunshots just after 3.30pm yesterday.

The witness added: “It was pandemonium — there was a black woman in her fifties screaming, she looked like she was a member of the family, really horrible to see.”

A 21-year-old student said: “There were lots of people charging out of the flats, I think they were his family, gathered around him.”

Another witness said: “There is drugdealing and trouble around here but this level of violence is something new.”

A police cordon remained in place today as detectives and forensic experts searched for evidence.

Doctors from London’s Air Ambulance — which landed in Turnpike Lane — gave the victim emergency treatment at the scene before taking him to hospital. Medical equipment from paramedics remained strewn in the close, off Turnpike Lane, where the shooting took place.

The shooting is the second in the area within the past week. Last Thursday an 18-year-old was shot in the foot near Turnpike Lane Underground station.

Detectives from the Met’s Trident gangs unit launched an investigation into the shooting. Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. it was