Woman, 42, killed in potentially 'gang-linked' shooting named as Lianne Gordon

Detectives have promised a "painstaking investigation" after Lianne Gordon, 42, was shot dead in Hackney. A young man and teenage boy were also wounded, ITV London's Helen Keenan reports

A 42-year-old mother killed in a shooting in east London has been named by police as Lianne Gordon.

Lianne's family said she "had a heart of gold", adding: "We are going to miss her immensely."

A young man, aged 20, and a teenage boy, 16, were injured and left in a non-life threatening condition in hospital following the attack in Hackney on Tuesday evening.

The trio are believed to have known each other but were not related, the Metropolitan Police said.

They were all found with gunshot wounds after police were called at around 6.30pm on Tuesday to reports of a shooting in Vine Close.

Ms Gordon, who neighbours say may have been trying to protect her children during the shooting, died at the scene.

It is understood that she'd arrived home from a family holiday on the day before the shooting.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said the force is considering the possibility the shooting in Hackney was "gang-linked".

"We believe all the victims of the shooting were known to each other but they were not related," he said.

"I want to offer my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims and also to all of those affected in the wider community by this incident.

He added: "I want to assure everyone that this will be a painstaking investigation. We are determined to bring those responsible to justice.

"It is important that we keep an open mind regarding motive and we will follow the evidence. It is too early in this investigation to comment further on motive though we are considering the possibility that this was gang linked."

Mr Conway added that there had been another shooting at Vine Close on Saturday, December 2.

He told reporters that officers found bullet cases at the scene but "no trace of any victim or suspect".

Also speaking at the conference was Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley, who said: “I just want to say this is an absolutely heartbreaking incident and my thoughts and everyone’s at the council’s are with the loved ones of Lianne and of the other injured victims."

She said Hackney Council is working with police to support the families of the victims, as well as schools and local community groups. “While incidents like this are thankfully rare in Hackney, we know that the community will be shocked, worried and distressed," she added.

"Council officers are in the area to support the police investigation and provide reassurance to local people. We also have outreach workers in the area to make sure people can speak to us about any concerns they have."

Watch: The Met Police and Mayor of Hackney give the latest on Tuesday night's shooting, which has left one woman dead and two others injured

Speaking to ITV London near the scene, a woman whose daughter was a friend of the Ms Gordon's, said: "It came as a shock. She was a nice woman, and to be involved in something like that, it just doesn't make sense.

"She wouldn't be involved in something like that - shooting and things like that... She was a nice and cheerful lady."

A neighbour, whose children would regularly play with Ms Gordon's children, added: "She was very friendly, chatty, she always talked and always wanted to know how your day was going and how you're doing."

Recalling how his name phoned him to tell him the news, he said: "I was very upset. For a few minutes I couldn't believe it. I was working at the time and I had to call my wife back to see if she was joking or not."

No arrests have been made so far, and police are appealing to members of the public to help them.

Detective Superintendent Vicky Tunstall, from the local policing team in Hackney, said: “We are still in the early stages of our investigation and a team of specialist detectives are working to establish what has happened. Officers will remain at the scene overnight and will be in the area over the coming days.

“I do not underestimate the impact this incident will have on people in Hackney and I understand the community will want answers about what has happened this evening. We will share further information as our investigation progresses.

“Gun crime has no place on the streets of London and we will do all we can to bring whoever is responsible for this despicable crime to justice.”

Anyone who witnessed the shooting, or has information about what happened, is urged to call 101 quoting CAD 5811/05Dec or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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