The mother of a nine-year-old girl who was left with brain damage after being shot while eating ice-cream with her family at a Dalston restaurant says that the future she imagined for her daughter has been ‘torn away’. The man who helped plan the shooting has been found guilty of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm.
Javon Riley, 33, of Moselle Street, Tottenham was convicted at the Old Bailey today (Monday) August 18. Riley played a key role in planning the shooting, which was meant to kill rival members of an organised crime network on May 29 last year.
He was found guilty of causing GBH to the girl, the and attempted murder of the three men. A reward of £15,000 is being offered to anyone with information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the man who fired the weapon.
The gunman fired six rounds after pulling up on a stolen Ducati monster outside of a busy restaurant in Dalston at around 9.19pm. One of the bullets lodged in the brain of the young girl who was eating ice cream with her family, while the other rounds stuck three men.
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All four were taken to hospital for emergency treatment which saved their lives. The mother of the nine-year-old girl said: “In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away. She was once an energetic, adventurous child — everything that celebrated movement, energy, and life.
“Now, weakness on her left side means she can only watch from the sidelines, living with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still in her brain. As parents, we are shattered — emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. Each day brings new challenges, from her slower growth on one side to the emotional and mental scars that cannot be seen.
“The world we once believed was safe for our child now feels frightening and uncertain. This was not just an accident — even if our daughter was not the intended target, those responsible were still attempting to take lives, It is brutal and inhumane. We live with this pain every day, knowing nothing will ever be the same for our family.”
During the following months, police discovered that Riley had spent several days scoping the area, with evidence showing he sat at a bar opposite the restaurant, while sipping a pina colada, and observing the traffic on Kingsland Road.
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Riley then drove a stolen car from north London past the restaurant several times to ensure the targets were present on the night of the shooting. He then helped take the gunman away from the scene and disposed of the gun following the shooting, which has yet top be found.
Riley will be sentenced on Friday, September 12 at the Old Bailey. Speaking at court following the verdict, Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who led the investigation, said: “Javon Riley’s actions traumatically altered the trajectory of a little girl’s life. While this outcome serves as a slither of justice, the dangerous individual responsible for pulling the trigger remains on our streets.
“Those who ordered this shooting are a highly sophisticated criminal organisation. We understand that people may be worried about talking to us because of this, but it is imperative we hear from anyone who can assist this investigation. Justice must be secured for this little girl and her family.”
The Ducati Monster used in the shooting had a white body, red chassis and red wheels. In 2021 it was stolen from a Wembley property and at the time of the shooting, was displaying the registration plates DP21 OXY. It has since been recovered and is believed to have links to Nunhead.
Detective Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “This incident had a devastating impact on local communities throughout north London. Although crime has decreased in Hackney, events such as this remind us that violence has a lasting effect on children and young people.
“We continue to work with the council, local charities and wider partners to address cause and impact of organised crime. If there is someone in the local community who knows what happened that night, and is yet to talk to us, please reconsider your decision to stay silent and share what you know.”
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Met on 101 quoting 8082/29MAY24 or 01/402921/24, with all information taken in confident. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to report anonymously.
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