The moment a gunman opened fire on a busy high street has been caught on CCTV as terrified shoppers run for their lives.
21-year-old Ricardo Anderson blasted at a gang rival on Park Lane in Tottenham, North London, on May 27 last year.
He had been walking along the street when he spotted a VW Golf being driven by the adversary at around 8pm.
The car sped along the busy street before slamming its brakes in the middle of the road, which runs past the Spurs ground. Footage shows how balaclava-clad Anderson got out his weapon from his waistband and shot at the car.
Onlookers – including children – ran for cover inside shops as the vehicle’s driver attempted to shoot back at Anderson. The gun jammed as the trigger was pulled.
He then hit the accelerator and sped off while Anderson fled the scene on foot. Scotland Yard later traced the blue R-Type VW Golf, which turned out to have been stolen.
Police scoured the area for the rival gangsters but both had left the scene. Detectives managed to recover shell casings – along with the CCTV footage – that led to Anderson being identified.
But detectives have still not been able to find the rival shooter from the VW Golf. Detective Constable Rhiain John said: “This incident took place in a busy street on a warm summer’s evening.
“People were out and shops were open. Terrified onlookers including children sought refuge in shops and scrambled for safety behind parked cars.
“Ricardo Anderson had absolutely no concern for them at all. But for sheer luck this could have been a murder investigation.
“From our enquiries we established the incident was part of an ongoing dispute involving rival gangs in the area. We worked tirelessly using CCTV, witness and forensic evidence that would help prove Anderson’s guilt.”
DC John added: “These kinds of offences are taken incredibly seriously. We do everything in our power to identify and prosecute those responsible.”
Anderson now faces a jail sentence over the shooting after he was convicted at the Old Bailey of attempted grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
