A third teenager has been arrested after the double shooting at a South London shop in which a five-year-old girl was hit in the chest.
The 18-year-old was arrested yesterday and remains in custody in a South London police station, Scotland Yard said today.
He is being held in connection with the shooting of Thusha Kamaleswaran and that of 35-year-old Roshan Selvakumar, who was hit in the same incident in Stockwell.
Sharmila Kamaleswaran, mother of the five-year-old girl, has urged people to help the police and described how her other children are struggling to cope with the “tragic” nature of Thusha’s injuries.
“This incident has caused much shock for me and my family,’’ she said. “As any mother, I have deep love for all my children and what has happened to my daughter Thusha has left me feeling empty inside.
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“I cannot eat or sleep properly until she opens her eyes.
“My daughter Thusha is such a sweet, quiet and helpful child, always smiling and laughing. I cannot wait to hear her voice again and hold her.
“I thank everyone who is praying for her. I ask for any person who knows about those responsible for this to come forward and speak to the police. I do not wish this to happen to another family.”
Thusha, who is thought to be London’s youngest gun crime victim, was hit in the chest and Mr Selvakumar suffered a head wound as two black youths cowered in the shop after being chased by three other black youths on bicycles.
Thusha’s mother, 12-year-old brother and three-year-old sister were also in the shop during the shooting but were unhurt. The store’s owners are the children’s aunt and uncle.
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Relatives are maintaining vigils at Thusha’s hospital bedside while detectives build up a “continuity trail’’ of the attackers’ movements.
Police said that both victims remained in a “serious but stable’’ condition. They are carrying out extra patrols around the mini market as sources said that up to 50 gangs were operating in the South London area.
One man was remanded in custody last week charged with two counts of attempted murder. Anthony McCalla, 19, of Oakdale Road, Streatham, South London, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with shooting the little girl and Mr Selvakumar. He will appear next at the Old Bailey on June 10.
McCalla, wearing a brown and white striped top and blue jeans, listened intently during the 15-minute hearing and spoke only to give his name, address and date of birth.
District Judge Sue Green refused an application for bail.
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On Friday night a 14-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the shootings was given bail to a date later this month.
Crimestoppers is offering a £50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the attackers.