Gunmen open fire through front door at teenager's birthday party

12 April 2012

Two motorcycle gunmen launched a shotgun attack on a teenager's birthday party, leaving one 17-year-old seriously hurt and another injured.

The men roared up to the house in South Norwood and one of the attackers fired two blasts through the open door of the home. Denzel Noushie, who was celebrating his 17th birthday, was hit in the stomach by the shot and a friend was caught in the legs by the shotgun pellets.

Mr Noushie was still in hospital where his condition was said to be serious but stable, the other victim was discharged after treatment for minor leg injuries. The 17-year-old's cousin Faisal Abdur Rahman, 19, told the Sun: "The sound of a firework came through the door and Denzel flew about four feet backwards."

Neighbours said the men were masked and arrived at the house in Armistice Gardens at about 5pm on Tuesday. They heard two shots followed by shouting and screaming.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "It's getting really bad around here now. I have kids who were asleep just yards away from where these two boys were shot." Another resident, who also declined to be named, said: "They [partygoers] weren't being loud or making a nuisance of themselves they were just having a gathering. We were all indoors and then we heard a shot go off.

"Next thing we know there are armed police everywhere telling us to stay indoors." A spokesman for the Met said the two suspects escaped on their motorbike, heading towards Penge Road.

There have been no arrests. The incident is being investigated by the Operation Trident squad which tackles gun crime in the black community. Sources said it appeared that the birthday party had been deliberately targeted by the gunmen and the two victims were lucky not to have been more seriously hurt.

Detectives appealed for anyone with information to call Trident on 020 8785 8580 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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