Man found guilty of the attempted murder in Dalston shooting

A man involved in a shooting which left a nine-year-old girl with life-changing injuries has been found guilty of attempted murder.

A jury delivered the verdict to 33-year-old Javon Riley (13.12.1993) of Moselle Street, Tottenham at the Old Bailey on Monday, 18 August following the conclusion of a three-week trial on Wednesday, 13 August.

He was found guilty of the attempted murder of three men, as well as causing grievous bodily harm to nine-year-old.

Specialist detectives are now offering a financial reward of up to £15,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest of and prosecution the man who fired the weapon.

Riley did not shoot the gun but played a key role in orchestrating and implementing a plan intended to end the lives of rival members of an organised crime network on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

At 21:19hrs outside a bustling Dalston restaurant, a gunman pulled up on a stolen Ducati Monster and opened fire six times. One of those bullets lodged in the brain of a young girl as she ate ice cream with her family – the other rounds struck three men.

All four were taken to hospital for emergency, life-saving surgery.

In the months that followed, detectives discovered that Riley scoped the area over several days.

Evidence showed that he sat at a bar opposite the restaurant – sipping a pina colada as he studied the flow of traffic in Kingsland Road – calculating what was needed for the gunman to successfully carry out the shooting.

On the evening of the incident, Riley drove from north London in a stolen car and travelled past the restaurant on several occasions to ensure that the intended targets were present.

After the shooting, Riley was instrumental in ensuring the shooter evaded capture, transferring him from the scene as well as disposing of the firearm. Both the gun and gunman are yet to be found.

Speaking at court following the verdict, Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who led the investigation, said: “Javon Riley’s actions traumatically altered the trajectory of a little girl’s life. While this outcome serves as a slither of justice, the dangerous individual responsible for pulling the trigger remains on our streets.

“Those who ordered this shooting are a highly sophisticated criminal organisation. We understand that people may be worried about talking to us because of this, but it is imperative we hear from anyone who can assist this investigation.

“Justice must be secured for this little girl and her family.”

The mother of the nine-year-old girl added:

"In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away. She was once an energetic, adventurous child — everything that celebrated movement, energy, and life.

"Now, weakness on her left side means she can only watch from the sidelines, living with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still in her brain. As parents, we are shattered — emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. Each day brings new challenges, from her slower growth on one side to the emotional and mental scars that cannot be seen.

"The world we once believed was safe for our child now feels frightening and uncertain. This was not just an accident — even if our daughter was not the intended target, those responsible were still attempting to take lives, It is brutal and inhumane. We live with this pain every day, knowing nothing will ever be the same for our family."

The Ducati Monster used in the shooting had a white body, red chassis and red wheels. In 2021 it was stolen from a Wembley property and at the time of the shooting, was displaying the registration plates DP21 OXY. It has since been recovered and is believed to have links to Nunhead.

Detective Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: 

“This incident had a devastating impact on local communities throughout north London.

“Although crime has decreased in Hackney, events such as this remind us that violence has a lasting effect on children and young people. We continue to work with the council, local charities and wider partners to address cause and impact of organised crime.

“If there is someone in the local community who knows what happened that night, and is yet to talk to us, please reconsider your decision to stay silent and share what you know.”

If anyone has information relating to this incident, please contact the Met via 101, quoting 8082/29MAY24 or 01/402921/24. All information shared will be taken in confidence.

People can also get in touch through independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 – all information shared here remains anonymous.

Riley will be sentenced on Friday, 12 September at the Old Bailey.