A Black Lives Matter activist who was shot in the head at a birthday party in the early hours of Sunday morning is fighting for her life.
Sasha Johnson, 27, is said to be in a critical condition after being gunned down at the celebrations in Peckham, south London.
The mum-of-three is an Oxford graduate and a member of political party Taking The Initiative (TTI).
Ms Johnson - who previously styled herself as the 'Black Panther of Oxford' - has been outspoken on racial issues.
It was TTI who identified Sasha as the victim of the shooting that the Met Police announced they were investigating.
A statement said: "It is with great sadness that we inform you that our own Sasha Johnson has sustained a gunshot wound to her head.
"Sasha has always been actively fighting for black people and the injustices that surround the black community, as well as being both a member of BLM and a member of Taking the Initiative Party’s Executive Leadership Committee.
"Sasha is also a mother of 3 and a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community.
"Let’s all come together and pray for Sasha, pray for her recovery and show our support to her family and loved ones."
The shooting
Metropolitan Police released a witness appeal saying the shooting happened on Sunday at roughly 3am.
Officers raced to the scene on Consort Road following reports of gunfire where they found Ms Johnson.
She was taken to hospital where she remains with "life-threatening injuries".
Detectives say there is 'nothing to suggest' she was targeted but TTI said Ms Johnson had received death threats before she was shot.
Witness accounts
The host of the party described how people were "panicked" and "running" following the attack.
Donna, is the mum of Sasha's partner, and was hosting the party for her daughter's 30th birthday at her home when the tragedy occurred.
She told MyLondon : "We were having a birthday gathering and men came in and shot into my garden.
"They fired two shots, people were just panicked, running, I was telling everyone to get into the house because the gunmen didn’t come in the house they just shot from outside.
"There were about 30 people or so there. They were all panicked but only Sasha was shot."
Malcolm McQueen, a 29-year-old PhD student who lives on the same street, said: "My housemates said they woke up and heard people screaming and crying."
Another neighbour, who declined to be named, said: "We heard a lot of arguing.
"It was loud, we couldn't hear what was going on. There were so many people arguing.
"I definitely heard two gunshots, one right after another, and then people were screaming and shouting."
What police say
Police say they do not believe Ms Johnson was targeted and are hunting for four black men.
Commander Alison Heydari said: "From our enquiries so far, we have established that Sasha had been at a party at a house on Consort Road in Peckham early on Sunday morning.
"Around 3am a group of four black males dressed in dark coloured clothing entered the garden of the property and discharged a firearm. They had left the scene before officers arrived.
"We are aware of Sasha's involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK and I understand the concern this will cause to some communities - however I wish to stress that at this time there is nothing to suggest Sasha was the victim of a targeted attack.
"We are also not aware of any reports of threats made against her prior to this incident."
She went on to call the incident "shocking", adding that the force's "thoughts are with the family".
"There is someone out there who knows who carried out this attack and these people do not deserve their protection," she added.
What Sasha's political party says
Taking the Initiative Party has refused to believe Met assurances alleged death threats prior to the incident against the activist were not credible.
In a statement on Instagram, the party said: "How have the police come to this conclusion without being able to speak to Sasha regarding the death threats and investigate?
"Do the police know who the target of the attack was, in order to conclude that Sasha wasn't?"
"How does one manage to shoot someone in the head accidentally? Surely, to end up in hospital having sustained a bullet shot to the head, makes a death threat more credible.
"Sasha is currently in critical care and has recently undergone an operation and is in recovery post-surgery; we do not have any further information in relation to her recovery and/or if there is any permanent damage.
"We request that if anyone witnessed the incident and/or has any further information that may assist to please get in contact.
"We would also like to thank everyone for their kind words and well wishes and ask that everyone keeps Sasha and her family in their thoughts and prayers."
Community response to the shooting
A vigil took place on Monday in Ruskin Park in south east London, close to King's College Hospital, where Ms Johnson is being treated.
Well-wishers prayed for Ms Johnson to pull through during the emotional event that included African drums being played.
According to the BBC one speaker told the crowd: "In every community there are good eggs and bad eggs and we have to make sure those bad eggs are held accountable for their actions.
"Because it's not acceptable for those bad eggs to be attacking our warriors - be they male or female.
"Warriors who are out there every day without pay working for our families, working for our communities."
Harriet Harman, Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, tweeted: "Whoever carried out this dreadful shooting of Sasha Johnson needs to be caught quickly. Give any info you have to MPSSouthwark. Reported death threats will need to be investigated. Wishing her a full recovery. With thanks to the NHS for much needed expertise and care."
Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy tweeted: "This is gut wrenching. Praying for Sasha Johnson, her family and friends that she makes a full recovery #BlackLivesMatter".
Black Lives Matter UK tweeted: "We are saddened to hear that Sasha Johnson is fighting for her life after a critical wound and following numerous death threats. While Sasha wasn't part of our organisation, she impressively founded a new Black led political party and was dedicated to resist anti-Black racism.
"Any attempt to intimidate or silence her, is an attack on all of us. Touch one, touch all. We pray that she will pull through this and those who threatened her life are held accountable. Our thoughts are with her children, family, and all impacted by this senseless attack."
Anyone with information or any witnesses should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
