The ‘shattered’ mum of the girl, 9, who was shot in the head by mistake as part of a rivalry between London gangs has spoken out on the ‘brutal and inhumane’ impact it has had on the family
Judge sentences Javon Riley over role in shooting
The mum of the nine-year-old girl mistakenly shot in the head in a gangland shooting says her daughter has to live with a titanium plate in her skull. The young girl was an innocent victim of a bloody rivalry between Turkish gangs of North and East London. She was caught in the crossfire while eating dinner with her family at a restaurant in Dalston and to this day still has a bullet lodged in her brain.
Javon Riley, the hired spotter and getaway driver in the incident, has today (Friday, September 12) been jailed for a minimum of 34 years for his role in the horrifying shooting outside Evin Restaurant in Kingsland High Street on May 29 last year. The gunman who fired six shots is still at large and Riley has refused to share any details about them due to fearing for his own safety and that of his family.
The girl spent three months in hospital and will suffer with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. Her mum says her “once energetic and adventurous” child can now “only watch from the sidelines” as the “shattered” parents try to come to terms with what life now is for their family.
The mum said in a statement released today: “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.”
Three men at a nearby table were also injured, receiving gunshot wounds to the arm, leg and thigh. Riley, 33, from Tottenham, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of causing grievous harm with intent to the girl and attempting to murder Mustafa Kiziltan, 35, Kenan Aydogdu, 45, and Nasser Ali, 44. Sentencing him on Friday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC said the gang rivalry had seen a number of “tit for tat” murders and attempted murders in London and overseas over the past 10 years.
‘The trauma is relentless – we live with constant fear about the future’
A victim impact statement from the girl’s mum, read to the court by the judge on Friday, read: “Our daughter’s joyful spirit remains but it is now wrapped in layers of frustration and silent pain. She watches her friends do what she cannot and she carries it all inside with quiet strength. This tragedy did not just change our daughter’s life, it broke something in us as a family.”
The statement added: “For us the trauma is relentless, we live with constant fear about the future, unsure how much more she will lose as she grows. We grieve for the dreams we once had for her, dreams of music, sport and a carefree childhood, all replaced by therapy sessions, hospital appointments and adaptations for survival.”
The three men who were shot were said to be affiliated with the Hackney Turks organised crime gang, which had a rivalry with the Tottenham Turks, with whom Riley had links, jurors had heard. The gunman is at large but prosecutors said Riley had played a “key role” before, during and after the shooting.
Riley carried out reconnaissance of the restaurant before the attack, scouted for potential targets and drove the gunman away in a stolen car, which was later burnt out. Scotland Yard has offered up to £15,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person who fired the shots.
During a three-week trial, Riley was asked to identify the “third party” who had recruited him for around £40,000. He refused, citing fear for his life and that of his family.
The defendant admitted conducting reconnaissance, spotting targets and picking up the gunman, but claimed he believed it was a “smash-and-grab” robbery. He later admitted the person who used the gun had said to him: “Shots have been fired. I need to get out of here.”
The court heard Jamaica-born Riley had a string of convictions dating back to 2008 including for possession of cannabis and cocaine, driving offences and having an offensive weapon and a blade in his car. He also admitted involvement in car theft, drug dealing and robberies, but said he had never been caught for those offences.
Police recordings revealed Riley’s links to the Tottenham Turks, including talks about Izzet Eren, who was shot in Moldova on July 10 last year in what was believed to be a revenge attack.
‘Riley will face the consequences of his actions behind bars’
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, said: “Riley will face the consequences of his actions behind bars. Actions that traumatically derailed the life of a little girl. While this outcome is a reminder that justice can be served, it will never undo the suffering caused to her or her family.
“The dangerous man responsible for pulling the trigger is walking free, and it is imperative we find him. People out there know what happened and are choosing to stay quiet. We understand that you may be worried about talking to us, but it is vital we hear from anyone who can assist this investigation.
“Please reconsider your decision to stay silent and share what you know. Anything you say will be treated with the utmost care and confidentiality and you will be playing a huge part in securing justice for a young girl and her family.”
MyLondon has put together the timeline below to detail the faces and stories behind London’s Turkish underworld.
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