On May 24, NewsOnyx reported that Sasha Johnson, a South London-based Taking the Initiative Party member, was shot in the head in the early morning hours on May 23. On May 25, the Metropolitan Police arrested five suspects on suspicion of attempted murder in the shooting.
According to a statement from the Taking the Initiative Party with which Johnson is affiliated, the shooting came after a series of threats. However, at the time, the police did not believe that attack was targeted. Now, with suspects in custody, they can start to put the pieces together.
“While the investigation remains in its early stages, these arrests show that progress is being made. However, I would continue to appeal to those who may hold information about the events that led to Sasha receiving her horrific injuries, or about those responsible, to do the right thing and come forward and speak to police,” said Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard about the Johnson case.
The first arrest was of a 17-year-old male who was stopped and brought in on drug charges and weapons possessions. That arrest led the police to three other men, aged 18, 19, and 28-year-old– who were also brought up on charges of drug possession and affray (fighting in public). Later, a fifth suspect, 25, was arrested after he led police on a car chase. He was detained on suspicion of affray and failing to stop for the police. However, they expressed no clear link between the arrests and Johnson.
Searches are being conducted at two residences in Peckham. The Metropolitan Police still maintained their belief that this was not a planned attack on Johnson. They also said that there were no previous reports of any threats against her before the incident.
Earlier this week, a friend of Johnson told the BBC that gang violence at the party might have led to Johnson getting shot. There were about 30 people in attendance at the social gathering.
Sasha Johnson, a 27-year-old mother of three, is currently still in the hospital in critical condition.
