DETECTIVES investigating a horrific drive-by shooting outside a church which left six people injured – including a seven-year-old girl who remains in a serious condition – have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder.

The 22-year-old suspect was held after a car was stopped in Cricklewood Lane yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, police said, and was still in custody today as the investigation continued.

Emergency services rushed to the corner of Eversholt Street and Phoenix Road on Saturday after shooters opened fire on a group of people gathering for a funeral service at St Aloysius Church. A car was seen leaving the scene.

Police believe the shooters were traveling in a black Toyota C-HR

Alongside the young girl, four women – aged 21, 48, 54 and 41 – were taken to hospital where their injuries were assessed as non-life threatening. The 48-year-old has potentially life-changing injuries, however. A 12-year-old girl was also treated for a leg injury and has now been discharged.

Around 300 people had been paying their respects to Fresia Calderon, 50, who died in November of a suspected blood clot after arriving in London on a flight from Colombia, Her daughter, 20-year-old Sara Sanchez, died three weeks later from leukaemia.

Superintendent Jack Rowlands, Neighbourhoods Superintendent for Camden and Islington, said: “We believe the suspects discharged a shotgun from a moving vehicle, which was a black Toyota C-HR, likely a 2019 model or similar.

“This was a shocking incident. People came here to attend a funeral, to be with friends and loved ones and to mourn together. Instead they were the victims of a senseless act of violence. We know it will have had a significant impact on communities across Camden and we will have a visible police presence in the local area in the coming days and weeks to provide extra reassurance.”

Police at the scene on Saturday afternoon [Simon Lamrock]

Supt Rowlands said: “We have a significant number of specialist detectives and local officers working around the clock, but we also need the public’s help. We want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information about it. Your information could be vitally important, no matter how insignificant you think it may be.”