A leading British Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er campaigner is f!ght!ng for her life today after receiving a g*nsh** wound to the head. Sasha Johnson was apparently caught in the crossf*re in a sh**t!ng outside a party. She was found crit-ically wounded after police were called to a house on Consort Road in Peckham shortly before 3am yesterday.
It is understood that a party had been under way and that Ms Johnson — who was outside with others — was hit acc-id-entally as the gu*ma* opened f*re.
Ms Johnson, a graduate of Oxford Brookes University, has been a leading figure in the Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er movement in the UK. Around 50 of her friends, many of whom wore BLM badges, held a vigil for her on Monday near the hospital where she remains in a cri-ti-cal condition.
Neighbours described hearing shots, a “blo-od curdling scr-eam” and a car screeching off at the time of the sh**t**. Armed police were scrambl-ed to the scene as a manhunt was launched.
Imarn Ayton, who met Ms Johnson during the Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er protests last year, told BBC News that su!ge!y in hospital “went well” and the mother-of-three was now with her parents in hospital.
Asked about the circumstances, she said: “As far as we are aware, she was at a party.
“There was a rival gang that may have heard about someone being in that party that they didn’t feel quite comfortable with or trusted and so they resorted to driving past and sh**ti*g into the garden, and one of those shots obviously hit Sasha Johnson. “But I don’t believe she was the intended v!ct!m.”
One neighbour said: “I heard two shots, three seconds apart. Then a car screeched off and I heard a woman desperately sh-out!ng for help.”
Another said: “I heard a woman desperately scr-eam!ng. It was bl*** curdling, it sounded like someone in agony. It was very distre-ssing, it seemed to come out of nowhere. I am just praying the young girl pulls through.”
Officers were today carry!ng out door to door inquiries and the cr*m* scene remained behind a police cordon to preserve forensic ev!dence.
A large white marquee was in the back garden where the party was held. There were discarded bottles and debris across the lawn.
The Met said that its Trident anti-g*n cr*m* unit was leading the inv-estig-ation and that there was “a significant police presence in the area as enquiries continue”.
It is believed that Ms Johnson was not the intended target nor was the shooting in connection with her involvement in Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er or other campaigning.
Detective Chief Inspector Jimi Tele said: “This was a sho*king incident that has left a young woman with very serious !njuri!s … our investigation is in its early stages and urgent enquiries are under way to establish the circumstances.
If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch.”
Mr Tele added: “Finally, I recognise that this incident will have sho*ked those in the local comm-unity and further afield. “I would ask people to avoid speculating as to the motive or the circumstances behind it.” Friend Chantelle Lunt wrote on Instagram: “Sasha Johnson you are a panther and a warr***. If anyone can survive this, it’s you … please keep f!ght*ng, fi*ht to live.
We are praying that you pull through, come on girl. Your children need you, you need to keep f!ght*ng.” Officials from the Taking The Initiative Party (TTIP) , an economic and political group where Ms Johnson is a prominent member, said the sh**ting followed “numerous de-a** thr-eats”.
In a statement, it said Ms Johnson had been “brutally att-ack-ed” and hailed her as a “powerful voice” who had been fighting for b*ac* people and the injustices that surround the b*ac* community.
Ms Johnson works in act!v-ism and community support and got a first in social care at Oxford University. Ms Johnson had previously been a vocal supporter of the campaign to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oxford University.
Ms Johnson was seen addressing crowds during the Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er protests last summer but is understood to have bro*en her links with the movement in recent weeks.
Dozens of activists turn up to offer support at vigil- A vi*il for the recovery of Sasha Johnson was held at the bandstand behind the Kings Hospital in Peckham where she is recovering.
A drum circle formed with dancers, incense being burned and prayers offered to Ms Johnson from around 50 activists, family members and friends.
Chants of Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er could be heard as speakers addressed the cro*ds in a positive atmosphere with no police presence necessary.
One speaker said: “Sasha is one of the str-ong-est women I have ever met. She goes up and down the country spreading what she believes in.”
Peckham MP Harriet Harman turned up to the v!gil to pay her respects. Claudia Webbe Labour MP for Leicester East, was among those who went online to express “solidarity” with Ms Johnson.
Ms Webbe said: “We were all out last year for Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er . “I only know her as an act!vist on these !ssu-es of Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er . I support Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er and therefore support what she was doing.
“As a member of Parliament I stand in full solidarity with the Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er movement and I stand with her work in the Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er movement.”
Labour MP David Lammy called the a-tta-ck “gut-wrenching”.
He wrote: “Praying for Sasha Johnson, her family and friends that she makes a quick and full recovery, #Bl-a-ck L!v!s M*t*er”.