Gangland Shooting Trauma: Man Convicted in Attack on Young Girl in Dalston

Javon Riley, 33, has been found guilty of three charges of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a brutal gangland attack in Dalston last May. The incident occurred when a motorbike fired six bullets into a group of men outside the Evin Restaurant on Kingsland High Street, with one shot striking the girl in the head as she ate ice cream with her family indoors. The bullet remains lodged in her brain, leaving her with severe, life-altering injuries.

The Old Bailey heard that Riley, linked to the Tottenham Turks gang, played a pivotal role in the attack, conducting reconnaissance to confirm targets were present and aiding the shooter in evading capture. The gunman and weapon used in the assault have yet to be identified, though the motorbike—a Ducati Monster with distinctive white and red features—was later recovered. A reward of £15,000 is being offered for information leading to the shooter’s arrest.

The victim’s mother described the emotional and physical toll of the attack, stating, “The future we imagined for our daughter was torn away in an instant.” The girl, now reliant on a titanium skull plate and enduring unseen psychological scars, faces lifelong challenges due to the trauma. The court was told the attack stemmed from a longstanding feud between rival Turkish gangs, with Riley’s involvement extending beyond the immediate incident.

In his defense, Riley acknowledged ties to drug-dealing and robberies but claimed he was recruited for a plan to steal drugs and cash from the restaurant. He refused to disclose the shooter’s identity, only stating the assailant was “mixed race.” Det Insp Ben Dalloway, leading the investigation, emphasized that while Riley’s conviction is a step toward justice, the triggerman remains at large, continuing to threaten public safety.

CCTV footage captured the moment the motorbike pulled up near the restaurant, with an off-duty police officer’s bike camera recording the shooter’s actions. Despite this, authorities have not yet identified the individual responsible for firing the fatal shot. Riley is set to receive his sentence on 12 September.