Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is in intensive care after being shot in the head in south London in the early hours of Sunday, her political party said.
The Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP) said she's recovering from surgery after being "brutally attacked, following numerous death threats as a result of her activism".
London's Metropolitan Police appealed for witnesses after offices found a woman, who they said was thought to be in her 20s, suffering a gunshot injury in Peckham.
Police said the woman, who they have not named, remained in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police forensic officers on Consort Road as they investigate the shooting of Sasha Johnson on May 24, 2021 in London, England. Source: Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images
Disputed accounts
In a statement, police said, "while the investigation is at an early stage, there is nothing to suggest that the woman who was shot was the subject of a targeted attack or that she had received any credible threats against her prior to this incident".
"We are all hoping that this young woman's condition improves," detective chief inspector Jimi Tele said.
"Surely to end up in hospital having sustained a bullet shot to the head makes a death threat more credible," the party said.
Imarn Ayton, a friend of Ms Johnson, told the BBC she thought the incident was more related to rival gangs than her activism, and she believed Ms Johnson was not the intended victim.
However, the TTIP said Ms Ayton is not a friend of Ms Johnson and claimed her account was factually incorrect.
Messages and fear of hate
The party said, "whilst we are overwhelmed by the love and the support for Sasha, we are also deeply saddened and disgusted by the negative press that has infested from this act of hate."
They shared some of the emails and messages on social media from people celebrating Ms Johnson's attack.
"Messages wishing she dies, calling her a racist, and wishing better luck to the shooter next time for not killing her."
TTIP founding member Charles Gordon said, "we are deeply concerned about the attack on our sister".
Mr Gordon said, "we've had calls from various activists and leaders within the community, worried about whether the next attack could be on them."
Friends and family of Ms Johnson gathered for a vigil at Ruskin Park behind Kings Hospital on Monday afternoon.
"I pray that you may lift her, her family, friends, and community up," Activist Marvina Eseoghene Newton, who was in attendance, posted on Instagram.
People attend a vigil for activist Sasha Johnson at the bandstand in Ruskin Park in London on 24 May 2021. Source: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images
"I wish for her protection from all evil and those that wish to cause harm unto her flesh or soul," she said.
Ms Johnson, a mother of two, has been a leading figure in the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK and is a member of the TTIP's executive leadership committee.
