A black equal rights activist is in a critical condition in hospital after being shot in the head in south London yesterday.
Police are appealing for information after Sasha Johnson, 27, was found with life-threatening injuries in Southwark at about 3am on Sunday morning.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the Taking The Initiative Party, a new political group she was part of, said: "It is with great sadness that we inform you that our own Sasha Johnson has sustained a gunshot wound to her head.
Image: Ms Johnson is a mother of three who graduated from Oxford University. Pic: Facebook/Taking The Initiative
"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 three 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."
Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command (Trident) are "pursuing a number of priority lines of enquiry" but no arrests have been made yet.
Image: Ms Johnson was at the Million People March in London in August 2020. Pic: Thabo Jaiyesimi/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Police said the shooting had occurred "in the vicinity of a house where a party was taking place" and a number of people may have been in the area at the time.
"While the investigation is at an early stage, there is nothing to suggest that the woman who was shot was the subject of a targeted attack or that she had received any credible threats against her prior to this incident," officers said.
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."
Last August, Ms Johnson was one of the organisers of the first-ever Million People March to protest against systemic racism in the UK. During the demonstration, hundreds of people took to the streets of west London.
She said she hoped the movement would "empower the community to strive for better".
"As a people, we're not going to stop until we have equal rights and justice," she said.
"Our message is listen to us, hear our words, we want sustainable and tangible change.
"We don't just want tokenistic promises, we don't want it to come from a hegemonic standpoint. We want it to be for the people."
Image: Ms Johnson is in a critical condition in hospital
Black Lives Matter UK said on Twitter: "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."
BLM UK says a vigil will be held on Monday.
The Taking the Initiative Party is a political party that was registered with the Electoral Commission nearly four years ago and fielded its first candidates in May's local elections.
Ms Johnson, who got a first in social care at Oxford University, has "an immense passion for implementing change and justice and has been actively supporting the eradication of injustices in society by attending and leading protests", according to her page on the TTIP website.
"Although not everyone may agree with her methods, she is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.
"She is also committed to feeding the homeless and has personally been involved in delivering food and groceries to families that are in need."
Anybody with information should call police on 101, tweet @MetCC providing the reference CAD1172/23MAY, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Maleficent_Pen6196 on May 24th, 2021 at 02:43 UTC »
Strange the sky news article said "While the investigation is at an early stage, there is nothing to suggest that the woman who was shot was the subject of a targeted attack or that she had received any credible threats against her prior to this incident," but the guardian says that it occurred after she received “numerous death threats.” Which one is it?
eugene20 on May 24th, 2021 at 00:05 UTC »
London... not what I was expecting, getting shot in the UK is NOT common. Horrible thing to happen.
Satinathegreat on May 23rd, 2021 at 21:31 UTC »
Is there a better link?