A man has been found guilty for his pivotal role in a shocking drive-by shooting in Hackney, East London, that left a nine-year-old girl with a bullet lodged in her brain and permanently altered her life. Javon Riley, 33, from Tottenham, North London, was convicted at the Old Bailey on Monday of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the child and attempting to murder three men. The horrific incident, which unfolded on May 29, 2024, at a popular Turkish restaurant, has once again cast a harsh light on the brutal consequences of long-running gang feuds in the capital.
The Terrifying Attack on Kingsland High Street
The evening of May 29, 2024, was meant to be an ordinary family dinner at the Evin restaurant on Kingsland High Street, Dalston. The young girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was enjoying ice cream with her family, who were visiting London from Birmingham for a half-term trip. At approximately 9:20 PM, a gunman riding a stolen Ducati Monster motorbike pulled up outside the bustling establishment and unleashed six bullets. One of these rounds pierced the restaurant window, striking the nine-year-old in the head. Three men seated outside – Mustafa Kiziltan, 35, Kenan Aydogdu, 45, and Nasser Ali, 44 – were also wounded in the fusillade. CCTV footage showed diners scrambling for cover as shots rang out, transforming a peaceful evening into a scene of terror.
A Child’s Life Irreversibly Changed
The impact on the young victim has been catastrophic. She spent three months in hospital, undergoing life-saving surgery, including the reconstruction of her skull with a titanium plate. Despite making a recovery described as a “miracle” by police, the bullet remains lodged in her brain. Her injuries have left her with lifelong physical and cognitive problems, including weakness on her left side. Her devastated mother described how their world was shattered, stating, “In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away. She was once an energetic, adventurous child… Now, weakness on her left side means she can only watch from the sidelines.” The family endures daily challenges, grappling with emotional and mental scars that are not always visible.
Javon Riley’s ‘Key Role’
While the gunman remains at large, the Old Bailey jury concluded that Javon Riley played a crucial part in the planned attack. Evidence presented during the three-week trial revealed Riley’s extensive involvement before, during, and after the shooting. He carried out reconnaissance of the Evin restaurant over several days, scouting for potential targets and even sitting opposite the establishment sipping a pina colada to observe traffic flow. On the night of the shooting, Riley drove a stolen Nissan Juke past the restaurant multiple times to confirm the presence of the intended victims. Following the attack, he was instrumental in helping the shooter evade capture, transferring him from the scene and disposing of the firearm and the stolen getaway car, which was later found burnt out.
During his trial, Riley, who has previous convictions for drug dealing and robberies, claimed he believed he was involved in a “smash and grab” robbery for drugs and cash, not a shooting. He refused to name the individual who recruited him for approximately £40,000 or to identify the mixed-race gunman, citing fears for his own life and that of his family. The jury, however, deliberated for just over six hours before convicting him by a majority of ten to two.
The Underbelly of London Gang Violence
This horrific act of violence is intrinsically linked to a bitter and long-running feud between rival Turkish organised crime networks in North London – specifically, the Hackney Turks and the Tottenham Turks. The three injured men targeted in the shooting were affiliated with the Hackney Turks. It was revealed in court that Kenan Aydogdu had even been injured in a previous shooting, underscoring the tit-for-tat nature of the conflict that plagues certain areas of the capital. Prosecutors described the Kingsland High Street incident as a “planned assassination.”
Ongoing Hunt for the Gunman and Calls for Information
Despite Riley’s conviction, the man who fired the shots and the weapon used are yet to be found. The Metropolitan Police have renewed their appeal for information, offering a reward of up to £15,000 for details leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the gunman. Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who led the investigation, acknowledged that the individuals who ordered this shooting belong to a highly sophisticated criminal organisation and urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the imperative to secure full justice for the young girl and her family. This latest news on the case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers posed by organised crime networks within communities.
Sentencing Ahead
Javon Riley has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12. Judge Mark Lucraft KC indicated that Riley should expect a lengthy prison sentence, stating, “You have clearly taken part in a shooting which has led to four people being injured, one of them particularly seriously.” This conviction brings a measure of justice to the victim and her family, though the long road to recovery and the ongoing hunt for the shooter highlight the continuing challenges in tackling serious organised crime across London.
