Prominent Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is critically ill after being shot in the head, her party says. The Taking the Initiative Party said she was being treated in intensive care after the attack in the early hours of Sunday.
The 27-year-old has life-threatening injuries following the shooting on Consort Road, in Peckham, south London. A vigil was held in Ruskin Park, close to King's College Hospital where Ms Jackson is being treated.
Well-wishers played African drums and prayed for Ms Johnson to pull through. One speaker told the crowd: "In every community there are good eggs and bad eggs and we have to make sure those bad eggs are held accountable for their actions.
"Because it's not acceptable for those bad eggs to be attacking our warriors - be they male or female. Warriors who are out there every day without pay working for our families, working for our communities."
Police said at this stage there was no evidence the attack was targeted.
Detectives added that there was currently nothing to suggest the shooting victim had received any credible threats against her, and have appealed for witnesses. They have not confirmed her identity.
A friend of Ms Johnson, Imarn Ayton, said doctors had carried out surgery on her fellow activist, which had gone well and she was with her parents. She added that Ms Johnson had been at a party or gathering when she was injured but she did not believe that she was the intended victim.
"As far as I am aware... this incident is more related to rival gangs as opposed to her activism," Ms Ayton said. Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have been investigating at the scene and the surrounding area and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.
It is believed the shooting happened near a house where a party was taking place and a number of people may have been in the area, a Met Police statement said. The Taking the Initiative Party said the attack followed "numerous death threats".
Det Ch Insp Jimi Tele said: "This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries. Our thoughts are with her family who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time."
He added: "If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning, or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch."
