Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson critical after shooting, party says

British Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is in critical condition after being shot in the head in London, her political party said on Sunday.

The 27-year-old was taken to a south London hospital with life-threatening injuries following the shooting on Consort Road, in Peckham, south London.

Police said at this stage there was no evidence the attack was targeted.

Detectives added that there was currently nothing to suggest the shooting victim had received any credible threats against her, and have appealed for witnesses.

They have not confirmed her identity.

"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," the Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP) said in a statement. "She is currently in intensive care and in a critical condition."

The party said the attack happened "following numerous death threats as a result of her activism."

Neighbours described hearing shots, a “blood curdling scream” and a car screeching off. Armed police were scrambled to the scene as a manhunt was launched.

Imarn Ayton, who met Ms Johnson during the Black Lives Matter protests last year, told BBC News that surgery in hospital “went well” and the mother-of-three was now with her parents in hospital.

The official Twitter account of Black Lives Matter U.K. said it was shocked by the shooting of “a young mother and fearless political campaigner,” adding she was a prominent figure who had been at the forefront of marches last year as many more took to social media to offer their well wishes, using the hashtag #prayforsashajohnson.

Johnson helped organize a string of protests across Britain last summer and had been recorded speaking to crowds in the streets while wearing a stab-proof vest and camouflage print trousers.