Sasha Johnson vigil: Pals gather at park in show of support for BLM activist after she was shot in the head in 'driveby'

FRIENDS of Sasha Johnson gathered at a London park this afternoon in a show of support for the activist, after she was shot in the head in a driveby.

Around 50 people, many of whom wore BLM badges, stood on the bandstand in Ruskin Park, Denmark Hill, south London and chanted messages for the mum-of-two.

Many hugged and wiped away tears at the park, near King’s College Hospital, as news that Sasha remains in critical care reached the crowd.

The Black Lives Matter activist was left fighting for life after she was blasted in the head by "rival gangs" who opened fire at a house party in a drive-by shooting in Peckham, South East London, on Sunday morning, a pal says.

Many hugged and wiped tears away as news that Sasha remains in critical care reached the crowd.

One woman addressed the group and said: “We call her mother blessed. She created a legacy of change and nobody can take that away.

“We are here today to manifest our own outcome for her.

“She has so much more to give so we are here waiting for her to wake up so she can smile. She was blessed with such a smile.

“She gives everyone the opportunity to thrive.

“When she speaks she speaks from her ancestors. That’s why they are scared of her.

“This is just part of her story, this is the next chapter.”

A friend has now revealed surgery "went well" on the self-styled 'Black Panther of Oxford' and she remains in hospital with her parents at her side.

Imarn Ayton also claimed "rival gangs" were to blame for the shooting – rather than her "activism" for BLM.

She told the BBC: "There was a rival gang that may have heard about someone being in that party that they didn't feel quite comfortable with or trusted and so they resorted to driving past and shooting into the garden, and one of those shots obviously hit Sasha Johnson. But I don't believe she was the intended victim."

A horrified neighbour reported hearing gunshots ringing out as the house and a woman "hysterically crying" as the party ended in bloodshed.

While another said: "I heard two shots three seconds apart. Then a car screeched off and I heard a woman desperately shouting for help."

The Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP) claim Sasha, who helped organise last summer's BLM protests, was gunned down after receiving" numerous death threats as a result of her activism".

Police have since said they don't believe the shooting was targeted and nothing suggests she received "credible death threats".

The party said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we inform you that our own Sasha Johnson has been brutally attacked and sustained a gunshot wound to her head. 

"She is currently in intensive care and in a critical condition. The attack happened in the early hours of this morning, following numerous death threats as a result of her activism.

"Sasha has always been actively fighting for black people and the injustices that surround the black community, as well as being both a member of BLM and a member of Taking the Initiative Party's Executive Leadership Committee. 

"Let's all come together and pray for Sasha, pray for her recovery and show our support to her family and loved ones. #prayforsashajohnson."

Police rushed to the shooting, which was close to a house party, at around 3am yesterday.

Mum-of-two Sasha, who organised the BLM protests last year, was found suffering from gunshot wounds.

She was rushed to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

Detective Chief Inspector Jimi Tele said: "This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries. Our thoughts are with her family who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time.

"If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch."

Sasha, who attended university in Oxford, had previously called for people accused of racism to be put on a sex offenders-style "race offenders register".

The youth worker and cafe owner gained attention over summer as a prominent figure at a number of BLM protests, and has since helped to found the Taking the Initiative Party.

She serves on the party's executive committee as the member in charge of activism.

She went on to call for reparations to be made to black people in Britain via tax breaks, and also voiced support for the defunding of police departments, although TTIP has ruled out the latter.

Black Lives Matter has sought to distance itself from groups like TTIP and said it was not behind attempts in October to register a political party using the BLM name.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting reference CAD1172/23MAY or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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