Man arrested after funeral shooting that left girl, 7, fighting for life and was 'linked to Colombian drug cartel'

15 January 2023, 10:07 | Updated: 16 January 2023, 09:42

A man has been arrested in connection with the drive-by shooting at the memorial service of two women that left a 7-year-old girl fighting for her life.

The service, which was at the centre of the shocking attack that left six injured, was for British-Colombian cancer victim Sara Sanchez, 20, and her mother Fresia Calderon, 50.

The suspect was arrested when police stopped a car in Cricklewood Lane, Barnet, shortly before 4pm on Sunday.

The pair died within a month of each other in November, with Ms Sanchez dying after her mother suddenly passed away from a rare blood clot upon arrival at Heathrow from Colombia, according to MyLondon.

It's now alleged Ms Calderon had been married to Carlos Arturo Sanchez-Coronado, a convicted criminal who was jailed in the UK in 2009 for his role in helping to launder money for a London-based drugs gang linked to the cartel, The Telegraph reported.

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Carlos Arturo Sanchez-Coronado is said to have been the first man ever extradited from the South American country to the Britain, where he was jailed after pleading guilty to three charges linked to money laundering and fake documents.

Mr Sanchez-Coronado moved back to South America after serving time in a UK jail and had been living in Chile.

It's understood he died last year aged 56.

Speaking following news of the arrest during his LBC show Call Keir, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for tougher gun laws following the drive-by shooting.

Describing the incident, which took place in his constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, as "awful", the shadow leader said he had been in "constant contact with the police".

"There is evidence, which I am concerned about, that people have access to guns they shouldn't have access to," said Starmer.

"Now if it's illegal access, that's a pure matter of criminal law, but there are other people where better checks should be taken on the circulation of guns."

"I think we need to look again as to whether those laws are strong enough... there are legally owned guns that I don't think should be in the hands of the people legally owning them."

Police have not yet disclosed a motive for the gun attack.

Officers were called to Phoenix Road at 1.30pm on Saturday to reports of a shooting and found multiple people with injuries caused by pellets fired from a shotgun.

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Four women, aged 21, 41, 48 and 54 were taken to hospital after the incident with non-life threatening injuries.

The seven-year-old girl was left in "stable but life threatening condition" while the 48-year-old's injuries could be "life changing", the force said.

Another girl, 12, was taken to hospital with a minor leg injury but has since been discharged.

Speaking at the scene, Superintendent Jack Rowlands said: "The incident took place as mourners gathered outside the church following a funeral.

"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.

"I can promise that we are doing everything we can to identify and bring to justice those who were responsible for this attack."

Father Jeremy Trood, who conducted the service for the mother and daughter, described the moment the shots were fired.

"I was inside the church. I heard the bang and people ran back into the church," he said.

"They knew something had happened outside.

"They were very scared, people sheltered in the church until the police said they can leave, but some of them were so scared they had to wait a while to get their confidence back up to go outside."

Initial enquiries suggested the shots were fired from a moving vehicle which was then driven away from the scene, police said.

A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: "The first paramedic arrived in around five minutes.

"We treated four people at the scene, one of whom was seriously injured and was taken to a major trauma centre, as a priority. The others were taken to hospital."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the incident was "deeply distressing".

"This is a deeply distressing incident and my thoughts are with those who were injured and their families," he said.

"A police investigation is now under way and I am in close contact with the Met Police to determine what happened."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information about what took place has been urged to call 101, giving the reference 3357/14JAN.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.