Javon Riley found guilty in Dalston shooting

Javon Riley, 33, had denied three charges of attempted murder relating to three men and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the girl at the Old Bailey.

Man guilty over Dalston gangland shooting that left nine-year-old girl with bullet lodged in brain

Javon Riley, 33, has been found guilty of a key role in the Dalston shooting outside the Evin Restaurant on May 29 last year. Prosecutors said the Tottenham Turks ordered the attack on rivals the Hackney Turks, and the gunman fired six times at diners. The first bullet hit a nine-year-old girl who was inside the restaurant with her family.

Riley helped the gunman escape after the attack, disposed of the weapon, and arranged for cars used in the plot to be set on fire. He had claimed to have been contacted by a third party and offered around 40 000 pounds to take part in a planned drugs smash and grab. He denied meeting the gunman and was found guilty after a trial at the Old Bailey. The police have urged anyone with information to come forward, with a reward of up to 15 000 pounds on offer. The girl survived but faces lifelong physical and cognitive challenges due to a bullet lodged in her brain, and the judge will determine Riley’s sentence on September 12.

The case shines a light on how gang rivalry spills into civilian spaces and harms the most vulnerable. It also shows how surveillance and street networks can intersect with criminal plots, leaving families to live with the fallout for years. Communities will watch closely as authorities pursue accountability and as victims seek some sense of safety again. The decision to publish rewards and the pressure on witnesses highlight the ongoing tension between public safety and the fear that deters people from coming forward.

Beyond the courtroom, the incident raises questions about how London handles gang violence and protects children in busy neighbourhoods. Reform ideas often hinge on breaking the cycle of retaliation and improving support for families affected by violence, a task that demands patience and sustained investment from police, schools, and social services.

Highlights

The city cannot erase the past, but it can invest in safer streets and stronger support for families.