Girl, 9, injured in Hackney drive-by shooting ‘squeezed father’s hand’ as recovery hopes rise

The nine-year-old girl fighting for her life after being shot outside a Hackney restaurant is reportedly responding to her parents’ voices and has squeezed her father’s hand.

The unnamed child has been in hospital since being shot in the head while having dinner with her family on Wednesday night at the Evin Turkish in Dalston Kingsland High Street.

On Saturday, it was reported that the girl’s grandmother said she is on a ventilator and that doctors cannot remove the bullet.

However, a family friend told the MailOnline that doctors have begun to reduce her sedation, and the girl has shown signs of responsiveness.

The friend said: “She is on a ventilator but she is responding to some things, which is good. When they [her parents] say something, she responds, like moving her finger.

“Her father spoke with her this morning and she responded, she squeezed his hand, she pressed it.”

The friend added that another operation would be attempted on the girl in the coming weeks after the initial try did not dislodge the bullet.

“Doctors are saying it will be good,” the friend added.

It has now been confirmed that the girl and her family were from Birmingham but were in London to visit during the half term holiday.

They only stopped at the Turkish on Wednesday because the girl felt hungry.

She was one of four hit by bullets fired into the area by a gunman who was riding a stolen Ducati motorbike.

Three men aged 26, 37 and 42, were all also shot and are expected to pull through although one could have life changing injuries. The 37-year-old has been released from hospital.

It has not been stated who the intended target of the shooting was and the Metropolitan Police is continuing its enquiries.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “I would like to thank the extraordinary healthcare professionals for their dedication and care to the patients in the wake of this horrific incident.

“Our investigation continues at pace, with a dedicated team of detectives piecing together the facts and an unrelenting focus on tracing those responsible.”