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5 months ago
24
The intended targets of a botched gangland hit in east London have told of their heartache that an 11-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire.
Three alleged members of a notorious Turkish criminal gang were injured in an horrific drive-by shooting in Hackney on Wednesday night.
The men – part of the London-based ‘Bombacilar’ [Bombers] mob – suffered superficial flesh wounds, including shots to the shoulder and legs.
One of the victims is understood have been recently released from jail and was wearing an electronic tag on his leg as part of the terms of his probation.
But the gangsters, who are well-known among the Turkish community in Hackney, have told of their grief and shame that an innocent schoolgirl was hit by a stray bullet and is now fighting for her life in hospital.
Members of a notorious 'Turkish crime gang' were the intended victims of Wednesday's drive by shooting in Hackney on Wednesday night
The criminals were sitting at a table outside the Evin restaurant on Kingsland High Street
The gunman, who was on a stolen motorbike, sprayed the front of the restaurant with bullets - at least one of which hit the innocent girl who was having dinner inside with her family
‘The men who were the intended target are tough men, gangsters,’ the owner of one Turkish café told MailOnline.
‘They are well-known around here.
‘Each one of them knows the nature of their business and that it is dangerous. I suppose you could say that they expect violence.
‘But they do not expect innocent people to become caught up in their business, especially not children.
‘I have spoken to the men and they are very upset about what happened to the little girl.
CCTV footage captured the moment of the attack, showing the motorbike slowdown before the rider opens fire
The motorbike was abandoned on Colvestone Crescent in Dalston
‘They feel a mixture of grief and shame that she has been hurt because of their business.’
The botched assassination was allegedly ordered by a rival criminal gang known as the Tottenham Turks.
The two groups have been engaged in a bitter turf war for more than 20 years over control of London’s lucrative heroin trade, it is understood.
‘Turkish gangs have been fighting each other here in London for more than 20 years and the police have done nothing to stop it,’ a customer at another Turkish cafe told MailOnline.
‘The police seem to be happy to turn a blind eye to this violence as long it is only between the two gangs.
‘But now that a young girl has been caught up in the violence I suppose the police are going to be forced to do something about it.’
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