One man is fighting for his life after a drive-by shooting in the early hours of Saturday morning on a busy south London street.
Attack on Coldharbour Lane
Metropolitan Police were called just after 1am on 2 May to reports that multiple shots had been fired from a vehicle on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton. Specialist crime officers and local patrols reached the scene within four minutes and began administering emergency first aid alongside paramedics from the London Ambulance Service. A trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance was also dispatched as part of the response.
The London Ambulance Service confirmed that crews, incident response officers and paramedics from their joint response unit attended. “We treated four patients at the scene. We took two of them to a major trauma centre and the other two patients to a local hospital,” a spokesperson said.
Victims and injuries
Four people were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. A 25-year-old man remains in a life-threatening condition. The other three victims – aged 21, 47 and 70 – have injuries that have been assessed as either life-changing or not life-threatening. Police have not released further details about their identities or the circumstances that led to them being caught up in the attack.
Investigation under way
Detective Chief Inspector Allam Bhangoo, who is leading the investigation, described the shooting as an “act of indiscriminate violence” and said officers were working relentlessly to identify those responsible. No arrests have been made so far, and detectives have not given any further description of the vehicle involved.
“We understand how concerning this incident will be for the local community and want to reassure residents that officers are working at pace to identify those responsible,” DCI Bhangoo said. “We will work relentlessly to bring the suspects to justice.”
An increased police presence has been put in place across the area in the coming days, with local residents urged to speak to officers if they have any concerns. Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who has mobile phone, dashcam or CCTV footage to come forward. Information can be passed to officers by calling 101 and quoting CAD 557/2May. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Context of gun violence in Brixton
Brixton has a long history of gun crime and gang-related violence. In 2012, the GAS Gang was considered one of the most dangerous groups in south London, linked to a significant proportion of violent incidents involving young people. More recently, a double shooting on New Park Road in April 2026 left one man dead and another injured, with Crimestoppers offering a £20,000 reward for information. That incident came after two men were killed in separate shootings and a collision in Brixton in October 2022. In 2016, a series of shootings prompted increased police patrols and a broader focus on tackling serious violence in Lambeth.
Crime statistics for the borough, which includes Brixton, show that as of March 2026 the overall crime rate was 38% higher than the London average. Violent crime in the area was reported as 28% higher than the London average in early 2026. However, there has been a noted decrease in total offences since 2020, attributed to regeneration, policing strategies and community initiatives.
Coldharbour Lane itself has been the site of previous high-profile incidents, including the 1985 Brixton riots. Local residents on social media reported that large-scale street parties may have been taking place shortly before the shooting, with some saying they found nitrous oxide canisters – commonly known as laughing gas – the following morning. Police have not confirmed any connection between those gatherings and the attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.
