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 after a drive-by shooting at a memorial service in Euston
A man has been arrested after a drive-by shooting at a memorial service in Euston. Picture: Social media/Alamy

By Kit Heren

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.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

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.

Read more: Several luxury cars seized from Andrew Tate's property in Bucharest by Romanian authorities

Read more: Everton's board were advised not to attend Southampton defeat over 'real and credible threat to their safety and security'

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.

Carlos Arturo Sanchez-Coronado (left) was jailed in the UK in 2009 for his role in a money laundering operation for a London-based drugs gang
Carlos Arturo Sanchez-Coronado (left) was jailed in the UK in 2009 for his role in a money laundering operation for a London-based drugs gang. Picture: Facebook

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.

Sir Keir Starmer calls for tougher gun laws following Euston shooting

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.

Sara Sanchez and Fresia Calderon.
Sara Sanchez and Fresia Calderon. Picture: GoFundMe
Police at the scene of a shooting outside a memorial service
Police at the scene of a shooting outside a memorial service. Picture: Alamy

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."

Sara Sanchez and Fresia Calderon.
Sara Sanchez and Fresia Calderon. Picture: GoFundMe

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."

Police forensic officers attend the scene of the shooting.
Police forensic officers attend the scene of the shooting. Picture: Getty
A police officer at the scene, near Euston station.
A police officer at the scene, near Euston station. Picture: Getty

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."

The Met has called on anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information about what took place to call 101, giving the reference 3357/14JAN.
The Met has called on anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information about what took place to call 101, giving the reference 3357/14JAN. Picture: Getty

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.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested and detained by ICE amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Trump not planning to attack Iran, Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Trump 'not planning to attack Iran', Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Dame Katherine Grainger

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case given peerages

Matheus Cunha signs his Manchester United contract

When does the summer 2025 transfer window open and close?

Iranian soldiers in Tehran. The country has one of the strongest armies in the Middle East

Does Iran have nuclear weapons and what is its military capability?

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer.

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer providing 'lifeline' to domestic abuse survivors

Screen grab taken from PA video of Katie Wallis (left) leaving Cardiff Magistrates' Court after they pleaded guilty to the harassment of their ex-wife, Rebecca Wallis.

Former Conservative MP pleads guilty to harassing ex-wife

Man, 49, who 'went crazy' after taking crack cocaine jailed for 39 years following Christmas Day double murder

Man, 49, who 'went crazy' after taking crack cocaine jailed for 39 years following Christmas Day double murder

Disgraced music mogul R. Kelly taken to hospital after 'overdosing' in prison

Disgraced music mogul R. Kelly taken to hospital after 'overdosing' in prison - alleging prison staff are to blame

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney.

South London nurse struck off over 'sexually motivated' WhatsApps to colleague, claiming it was 'just banter'

Annabel Rook

Charity boss found stabbed to death in London home after police rushed to scene following 'gas explosion'