11-year-old boy out of hospital after being shot in playground in East London
A second victim remains in 'critical condition' in hospital after the shooting in Ilford yesterday
AN 11-year-old boy is out of hospital after having been shot in the face while playing in a playground in Ilford on Monday afternoon.
The boy, who was playing with his parents and siblings in the park, was hit with a stray pellet, as a 22 year-old man was blasted in the back with a sawn-off shotgun.
The man, who has no connection to the boy or his family, is said to still be in hospital in a critical condition.
A witness said she called police after seeing an armed man outside Loxford Park in Ilford, East London.
She said: “He had a big gun, like one that the Army would have. It was very scary, I hid.”
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Moring said: "The child was playing in the park with his parents and three siblings and took a pellet in the cheek.
It's been removed in hospital and he's now back at home with his family.
"It is not what you expect when you go to play on the local swings."
He said that the motive for the shooting remains "unclear", and added: "The victim has undergone surgery today and we hope to speak to him in due course."
A search is ongoing for the suspect, believed to be a black man who was wearing a baseball cap with a light-coloured peak, and a dark top with a white or yellow pattern on the sleeve.
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Officers also want to trace two cars that were near the scene at the time - a white Seat that is missing its driver's side wing mirror, and a black BMW that is missing its front number plate.Mr Moring added:
"This shooting has left a man in a critical condition and endangered an innocent child.
"We would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to contact police immediately. Your call will be treated in complete confidence."