A North London man has been found guilty of a brutal gangland shooting in Dalston that left a nine-year-old girl with life-altering brain injuries and shocked the capital. Javon Riley, 33, of Tottenham, was convicted at the Old Bailey of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the child and attempting to murder three men linked to the Hackney Turks organised crime gang. This high-profile case has been trending across national news outlets, casting a stark light on the escalating gang violence in London.
The horrific incident unfolded at approximately 9:19 PM on May 29, 2024, outside the Evin Restaurant on Kingsland High Street, Dalston. The young girl, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, was inside the restaurant, enjoying ice cream with her family, when she was struck in the head by the first of six bullets fired from a passing stolen Ducati Monster motorbike.
A Child Caught in the Crossfire
The impact on the innocent child has been devastating. She spent three months in hospital recovering from the severe injury. The bullet remains lodged in her brain, and she lives with a titanium plate in her skull. Her family has confirmed she will suffer lifelong physical and cognitive difficulties, a tragic consequence of being caught in the violent feud. Her parents, originally from Kerala, India, and now residing in Birmingham, expressed their profound pain, stating, “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.”
The Intended Targets and Riley’s Role
The intended targets of the assassination attempt were Mustafa Kiziltan, 35, Kenan Aydogdu, 45, and Nasser Ali, 44, who were sitting outside the restaurant. All three men, affiliated with the Hackney Turks, sustained injuries; Ali suffered a wound to his backbone, Aydogdu was shot in the leg, and Kiziltan was hit in the thigh. All four victims required emergency surgery.
Javon Riley, while not the gunman, played a pivotal role in the meticulously planned attack. Evidence presented during his three-week trial at the Old Bailey revealed that he conducted extensive surveillance in the days leading up to the shooting, even sipping pina coladas at a bar opposite the restaurant while observing the scene. On the night of the attack, Riley drove a stolen Nissan Juke past the Evin Restaurant multiple times to ensure the targets were present. Following the shooting, he was instrumental in helping the motorbike-riding gunman escape from the scene and dispose of the firearm. The stolen getaway car was later found burnt out.
Riley denied the charges, claiming he was offered £40,000 for a “smash and grab” drug robbery and was unaware of the plan to shoot anyone. He refused to name the gunman or the individual who hired him, citing fears for his and his family’s safety. Despite not being a direct member of the Tottenham Turks, prosecutors asserted he played a “key role” in the organised crime network.
Decades of Bloody Rivalry
This incident is the latest, and one of the most shocking, in a long-running and bloody rivalry between two notorious North London Turkish gangs: the Tottenham Turks, also known as the Tottenham Boys, and the Hackney Turks, also known as the Hackney Bombers. Police intelligence suggests this bitter feud, which escalated significantly around 2009, is linked to over 20 murders in the last two decades. Both gangs are heavily involved in the importation of heroin into the UK. The ongoing violence extends beyond London, with recent retaliatory attacks occurring internationally.
Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who led the investigation, highlighted the profound impact of Riley’s actions: “Javon Riley’s actions traumatically altered the trajectory of a little girl’s life.” He also emphasised that despite Riley’s conviction, the dangerous individual who pulled the trigger remains at large. The Metropolitan Police are actively seeking information on the gunman and have offered a reward of up to £15,000 for details leading to his identification, arrest, and prosecution.
Javon Riley was convicted by a majority verdict after six hours and three minutes of jury deliberation. He has been remanded in custody by Judge Mark Lucraft KC and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, where he is expected to receive a lengthy prison sentence. This case remains a significant piece of news, underscoring the severe consequences of organised crime on innocent lives in London.
