‘Shot fired’ during Ramadan prayers at London mosque

Armed police were deployed to a mosque in east London after a gunshot rang out during Ramadan prayers.

A “blank firing handgun” is believed to have been shot during an incident outside Seven Kings Mosque on High Road, Ilford, late on Thursday night.

No injuries or damage were caused and the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related, Scotland Yard said.

A worshipper who was at the mosque tweeted that he heard the shot being fired but “thought it was a firework or something”.

“Police were called at 10.45pm on Thursday, 9 May to reports that a man, believed to be in possession of a firearm, had entered a mosque on High Road in Seven Kings,” the force said.

“The man was ushered outside of the building by those inside. A gunshot was then heard.

“Officers, including firearms officers, attended. There were no reported injuries or damage to the building.

“At this early stage, ballistic evidence recovered from the scene suggests that the weapon was a blank firing handgun.”

Officers remained in the area overnight to provide reassurance to the local community.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over security at places of worship around the world.

A mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, in march left 50 people dead, while a woman was killed when a gunman opened fire at a synagogue in California in April.

Scotland Yard said: “Officers will continue to work closely with representatives from the mosque and are providing reassurance to the local community.

“The Trident and Area Crime Command has been informed and the investigation is being led by detectives from the East Area Command Unit.

“There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

“The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Borough officers via 101 quoting reference 8585/9May.