A Black Lives Matter activist shot in the head when gang members opened fire on partygoers was "caught in the firing line", a friend says.
It is not believed Oxford graduate Sasha Johnson, 27, was the "intended victim" of the drive-by shooting, which left her in a critical condition in hospital, said friend and fellow activist Imarn Ayton.
It is thought a "dispute" between rival gangs led to the shooting as the mum-of-three and others gathered in a garden in Peckham, south-east London, just before 3am on Sunday.
Ms Johnson is a member of the Taking The Initiative Party (TTIP), which claimed she had previously received "numerous death threats", though police said there is no evidence she was the intended target.
Ms Ayton said the violent incident was "more related to rival gangs as opposed to her activism", telling BBC News that Ms Johnson had successfully undergone surgery and her parents are with her in hospital.
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The shooting happened just days after Ms Johnson celebrated her young son's birthday.
Asked about the circumstances, Ms Ayton, founder of the UK Black Reformist Movement, said: “As far as we are aware, she was at a party.
“There was a rival gang that may have heard about someone being in that party that they didn’t feel quite comfortable with or trusted and so they resorted to driving past and shooting into the garden, and one of those shots obviously hit Sasha Johnson.
“But I don’t believe she was the intended victim.”
She added: "As far as I am aware... this incident is more related to rival gangs as opposed to her activism."
Another friend wrote on Facebook: "Let me put this out their now for all the people speculating! Sasha Johnson was not the intended victim!
"It was nothing to do with blm or any work she does, she was caught in the firing line."
A neighbour told MailOnline they heard two gunshots and "screeching" tyres at about 3am.
The neighbour added: "A woman then screamed and shouted the word 'help'. I was too frightened to look out the window.
"My husband is blind and he was really worried about what was going on too, he was almost having a panic attack.
"I knew they were gunshots straight away. It’s terrifying that a shooting can happen virtually on my doorstep."
Later on Sunday, as forensic officers carried out an investigation, a marquee was still set up in the back garden where the party as held, and drinks bottles were scattered on the lawn.
Black equal rights activist Ms Johnson is an executive member of TTIP and has been described as the chairwoman of Black Panthers UK.
Last summer, she led demonstrations in central London and calls for Oxford to remove a statue of slave trader Cecil Rhodes.
The activist, who got a first in social care at Oxford, last July said the police were "no different from" the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), accusing officers of "protecting statues and buildings instead of people", and led chants of "f*** the police" at an event.
The TTIP said on Sunday that she had previously received death threats, and was being treated in intensive care after being "brutally attacked".
A vigil was due to take place at King's College Hospital at 3pm on Monday, the group said.
It described her as “a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community” who has "always been actively fighting for black people and the injustices that surround the black community".
In a statement, the TTIP said: “It is with great sadness that we inform you that our own Sasha Johnson has sustained a gunshot wound to her head.
“She is currently hospitalised and in a critical condition.
“The incident happened in the early hours of this morning, following numerous death threats.
The TTIP has asked people to “all come together and pray for Sasha, pray for her recovery and show our support to her family and loved ones”.
David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, wrote on Facebook: "This is gut-wrenching. Praying for Sasha Johnson, her family and friends that she makes a quick and full recovery."
Claudia Webbe, Labour MP for Leicester East, was among those who went online to express “solidarity” with Ms Johnson.
Ms Webbe said: “We were all out last year for Black Lives Matter.
“I only know her as an activist on these issues of Black Lives Matter. I support Black Lives Matter and therefore support what she was doing.
“As a Member of Parliament I stand in full solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and I stand with her work in the Black Lives Matter movement.”
The Metropolitan Police issued an appeal for witnesses to the shooting of a 27-year-old woman but refused to confirm if it was Ms Johnson.
She was found after officers were called to reports of gunshots in Consort Road, Peckham, shortly before 3am.
A Met Police spokesman said there is nothing to suggest it was a targeted attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Jimi Tele said: “This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries.
“Our thoughts are with her family, who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time.
“A dedicated team of detectives is working tirelessly to identify the person or persons responsible for this shooting.
“They are making good progress but they need the public’s help.
“If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch.”
