British Black Lives Matter activist in critical condition after shooting in London
- Sasha Johnson, who played a leading role in Black Lives Matter protests last year, was shot in the head early on Sunday morning
- Detectives have appealed for witnesses and have not made any arrests
An activist who has played a leading role in anti-racism demonstrations in Britain was in critical condition in a London hospital on Monday after being shot.
The Taking the Initiative Party said Sasha Johnson, who played a leading role in Black Lives Matter protests last year, was shot in the head on Sunday. Police and a friend said it did not appear to be a targeted attack, though the party said Johnson had received “numerous death threats” related to her activism.
The party said Johnson was “a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community”.
The Metropolitan Police force said officers were called to reports of gunshots in the Peckham area of the city just before 3am on Sunday. Police said the shooting took place near a house where a party was taking place.
The police statement said a 27-year-old woman was in a hospital in critical condition after being shot. It did not identify her, but said “there is nothing to suggest it was a targeted attack or that the woman had received any credible threats against her before this incident”.