Mourners were forced to shelter in a church when four women and two girls were injured in a “drive-by” shooting.

A girl, 7, still remains in critical condition after the shooting near a service held in St Aloysius Church in Phoenix Road, near Euston station, on Saturday (January 14).

Witnesses said that a service was being held at the church for a young woman who had died of leukaemia – until gunmen sent mourners running and screaming outside.

Police had initially described the service at the church as a funeral, but Father Jeremy Trood, who conducted the service, confirmed it was a Requiem Mass for Sara Sanchez, 20, and her mother, who both died within a month of each other in November.

Ham & High: A forensics tent as police were at the crime scene in Phoenix Road, EustonA forensics tent as police were at the crime scene in Phoenix Road, Euston (Image: PA Media)

Ms Sanchez suffered from leukaemia for three years before succumbing to the disease after her mother died suddenly from a rare blood clot on arrival at Heathrow from Colombia, MyLondon reported.

Father Trood said: “I was inside the church. I heard the bang and people ran back into the church. 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.

“But I was in the church the whole time so I didn’t actually see what had happened.”

Ham & High: Police at the crime scene in Phoenix Road, Euston, after a shootingPolice at the crime scene in Phoenix Road, Euston, after a shooting (Image: PA)

One resident of an estate across the road, who did not want to give her name, said she heard an “almighty bang” and the next minute “everyone was screaming and shouting”.

The London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance raced to the scene and three women aged 48, 54 and 41 were taken to a central London hospital.

The 48-year-old has potentially life changing injuries. The 54 and 41-year-olds' injures were assessed as non-life threatening.

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While the 7-year-old girl remains in critical condition at hospital after checking in at 2.05pm, a second child, 12, has been discharged with a minor leg injury.

A 21-year-old woman was also taken to a central London hospital. Police said her injuries were non life-threatening.

Ham & High: A medical bag is left in position at the scene of a suspected drive-by shooting in Phoenix Road, EustonA medical bag is left in position at the scene of a suspected drive-by shooting in Phoenix Road, Euston (Image: PA)

In an update today, police have revealed that it is believed shots were fired from a moving black Toyota C-HR, likely a 2019 model or similar.

Sue, a 54-year-old resident said the victims were “lucky to get an ambulance” given the current crisis in the NHS.

She said: “I heard screaming going on but that is not unusual for around here. I heard shouting and I came out and saw the police and ambulances.”

Met Superintendent Ed Wells said officers have not yet made any arrests, and appealed for any witnesses to contact police.

Ham & High: A police forensics officer works at the scene of a suspected drive-by shooting in Phoenix RoadA police forensics officer works at the scene of a suspected drive-by shooting in Phoenix Road (Image: PA)

He said: “Any shooting incident is unacceptable, but for multiple people, including two children, to be injured in a shooting in the middle of a Saturday afternoon is shocking.

“Our thoughts are with all the victims, but in particular with the seven-year-old girl who is in a life threatening condition and with her family.”

He continued: “I can assure the communities of Camden and beyond that we will do everything we possibly can to identify and bring to justice those who were responsible.

“Local residents can expect to see an increased visible police presence in the area through the weekend and into the days ahead as we progress this investigation.

“I would urge anyone with information to come forward, either to the police or anonymously, to Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with information about the attack should call 101, giving the reference 3357/14JAN.