International

Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson critically injured in London shooting

by Joseph Choi 05/24/21 07:23 AM ET

Prominent U.K. Black Lives Matter demonstrator Sasha Johnson is in critical condition after being shot in the head in London on Sunday.

As Reuters reports, London’s Metropolitan Police did not identify Johnson, but her identity was confirmed by her political party.

“We are all hoping that this young woman’s condition improves,” detective chief inspector Jimi Tele said, according to Reuters. “Our investigation is in its early stages and urgent inquiries are under way to establish the circumstances.”

Johnson, 27, sits on the executive leadership committee of the Taking the Initiative Party, which said in an Instagram post that the shooting occurred early Monday morning.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you that our own Sasha Johnson has been brutally attacked and sustained a gunshot wound to her head. She is currently in intensive care and in a critical condition,” the political party said. “The attack happened in the early hours of this morning, following numerous death threats as a result of her activism.”

A friend of Johnson’s, told the BBC that doctors had performed surgery on Johnson and it had gone well. Imarn Ayton said that Johnson had been at a party and she did not believe the activist was the shooter’s intended victim.

“As far as I am aware … this incident is more related to rival gangs as opposed to her activism,” Ayton told the BBC.

“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,” Tele told the British news outlet.