A 26-year-old woman shot dead in south London is believed to have been caught in the cross-fire between two gunmen.
A 26-year-old woman shot dead in south London is believed to have been caught in the cross-fire between two gunmen.
Magda Pniewska, a care worker, was found seriously injured at about 1820 BST on Tuesday outside Stunell House in John Williams Close, New Cross.
Magda Pniewska, a care worker, was found seriously injured at about 1820 BST on Tuesday outside Stunell House in John Williams Close, New Cross.
She is believed to have been hit by a stray bullet after two men opened fire close to a car in the area.
The Polish national is believed to have been hit by a stray bullet after two men opened fire close to a car.
Three men and a woman have been arrested and a red Volkswagen Polo car recovered. No weapon has been found.
Three men and a woman have been arrested and a red Volkswagen Polo car recovered. No weapon has been found.
Ms Pniewska was taken to King's College Hospital by ambulance, where she was pronounced dead shortly before 2000 BST.
Ms Pniewska was taken to King's College Hospital by ambulance, where she was pronounced dead shortly before 2000 BST.
[Magda] had finished work and had got caught up in the cross-fire Det Ch Insp Tony Boughton
[Magda] had finished work and had got caught up in the cross-fire Det Ch Insp Tony Boughton
She arrived from Poland four years ago and had been living with her boyfriend while working as an activities co-ordinator at the nearby Bupa-run Manley Court nursing centre.
She arrived from Poland four years ago and had been living with her boyfriend while working as an activities co-ordinator at the nearby Bupa-run Manley Court nursing centre.
Police are investigating whether the shooting was linked to drug dealing on John Williams Close.
Police are investigating whether the shooting was linked to drug dealing on John Williams Close.
Witnesses said up to five shots had been fired in quick succession.
Witnesses said up to five shots had been fired in quick succession.
Luigh Carfrae, a local resident, said he heard "just four pops and then a car screeching off. I assumed the pops were a car back-firing.
Luigh Carfrae, a local resident, said he heard "just four pops and then a car screeching off. I assumed the pops were a car back-firing.
"It didn't occur to me that it could actually be gunshots."
"It didn't occur to me that it could actually be gunshots."
Det Ch Insp Tony Boughton said Miss Pniewska was "an innocent woman caught in the cross-fire".
Det Ch Insp Tony Boughton said Miss Pniewska was "an innocent woman caught in the cross-fire".
He believed shots were exchanged between a man in a parked red Volkswagen Polo and another man standing at the top of some nearby steps.
He believed shots were exchanged between a man in a parked red Volkswagen Polo and another man standing at the top of some nearby steps.
Miss Pniewska was a "dedicated carer" He said: "Miss Pniewska was making her way home and this would have been a normal route across the car park, up the steps and home.
Miss Pniewska was a "dedicated carer" He said: "Miss Pniewska was making her way home and this would have been a normal route across the car park, up the steps and home.
"She had finished work and had got caught up in the cross-fire."
"She had finished work and had got caught up in the cross-fire."
Mr Boughton said the red Volkswagen Polo was later found abandoned about one-and-a-half miles from the scene.
Mr Boughton said the red Volkswagen Polo was later found abandoned about one-and-a-half miles from the scene.
He had no details of its condition, but said it was undergoing tests by forensic scientists.
He had no details of its condition, but said it was undergoing tests by forensic scientists.
A cordon has been placed around the crime scene and residents living within the cordon were prevented from going back into their flats until Wednesday evening.
A cordon has been placed around the crime scene and residents living within the cordon were prevented from going back into their flats until Wednesday evening.
Oliver Thomas, of Bupa, said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Magda.
Oliver Thomas, of Bupa, said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Magda.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Magda was a truly lovely person and one of the most dedicated carers.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Magda was a truly lovely person and one of the most dedicated carers.
"She will be most deeply missed by both her colleagues and residents."
"She will be most deeply missed by both her colleagues and residents."
A resident who lives in the close, said he returned home at about 1900 BST on Tuesday and was met by a police cordon.
A resident who lives in the close, said he returned home at about 1900 BST on Tuesday and was met by a police cordon.
"I've lived here for two years and it's very quiet. It's just a typical London street and I've had no problems.
"I've lived here for two years and it's very quiet. It's just a typical London street and I've had no problems.
"I'm shocked to hear of something like this and I've never seen anything which might look like drug dealing."
"I'm shocked to hear of something like this and I've never seen anything which might look like drug dealing."
Do you live in the area? Did you witness the shooting? Send us your pictures, footage and comments using the form below.
Do you live in the area? Did you witness the shooting? Send us your pictures, footage and comments using the form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 (0) 7725 100 100
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 (0) 7725 100 100
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
