Shots were fired during a confrontation involving at least 12 men in a quiet suburban street, police have revealed.
CCTV footage shows three car-loads of men, thought to be rival gangs, pull up in a residential street in north London, before squaring up to each other in the lamplight.
One hooded man pulls away from the huddle, points a handgun towards a driver’s seat and apparently fires as the car reverses away.
A 22-year-old waitress and eyewitness told the Evening Standard: “I was just watching TV and the cars pulled up with their lights on really bright. I heard the noise as they started arguing and shouting at each other.
“I looked out of the window and it got really heated. Then one guy got the gun out and they all seemed to run away. There were three shots. Really loud bangs.
“When that happened I just got as far away as I could from the window and went and hid in the kitchen. I was really shaken up.”
Police found gun casings at the scene of the shooting, which took place at around 9.30pm in Graham Road, Wood Green, on Wednesday.
Another neighbour said: “We heard the bangs and the young people running away. It’s crazy but I’m not that surprised really.”
The cars involved are thought to have included a silver Mercedes and BMW.
Latest figures show a 10 per cent increase in firearms incidents – up to 2,122 – in the past year.
Violent crime in England and Wales was up 24 per cent during the 12 months ending June this year, according to an Office for National Statistics report.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said there were no reported injuries during the Wood Green incident.
Three men, aged 27, 22 and 31, were arrested for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and have been bailed until late December pending further enquiries.
A spokesman said: “Detectives continue to investigate and believe a second vehicle, a blue BMW, may be involved in the incident and enquires are underway to locate this vehicle.
“CCTV footage has been assessed and up to 12 individuals are seen fleeing from the location and detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed anything to come forward.”
Anyone with information can contact the Trident and Area Crime Command via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
