A man remains in critical condition in hospital after being shot in the chest in north London on Christmas Day, prompting a murder investigation by Metropolitan Police as no arrests have been made following the targeted attack.
Emergency services rushed a man to hospital in a life-threatening condition after he was shot in the chest on Festing Road, Harlesden, north-west London, at around 5.55pm on Friday, December 26, 2025, with the Metropolitan Police launching a murder investigation amid reports of it being a targeted incident.
Details of the Shooting Incident
According to the Metro, the victim was discovered with a gunshot wound to the chest on Festing Road in Harlesden, prompting an immediate response from the London Ambulance Service, paramedics, and an air ambulance. The man was treated at the scene before being transported to a major trauma centre, where he remains fighting for his life. The Metropolitan Police were called at approximately 5.55pm, and no arrests have been made as enquiries continue. The incident is being treated as targeted, with armed officers attending the scene alongside forensic teams who established a cordon.
As reported by Jacob Jarvis for Evening Standard, the shooting occurred on Christmas Day evening, with police confirming the man was found suffering from a gunshot wound and taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, where his condition is described as critical.
Police Response and Investigation
The Metropolitan Police have launched a murder investigation, though no murder has yet been confirmed pending the victim’s condition. According to Sky News, Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who oversees policing in Brent, described the incident as “shocking” and stated: “This was a targeted shooting and this male was not the intended victim.” He urged anyone with information, including dash cam, doorbell, or CCTV footage, to come forward. The Evening Standard reported that armed officers were deployed to the scene, and a crime scene remains in place on Festing Road.
Appeals for Witnesses and Footage
Multiple outlets, including the BBC and MyLondon, detailed police appeals for witnesses. The Metropolitan Police, as cited by the BBC, asked the public to contact them via 101, quoting CAD 5896/26Dec, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. MyLondon reported that the shooting took place amid a busy residential area near Harlesden station, with locals woken by sirens and police activity.
Context of Gun Crime in London
This shooting occurs against a backdrop of ongoing concerns over gun violence in the capital. According to the Metropolitan Police’s own statistics reported by the Evening Standard earlier in 2025, firearms offences in Brent have fluctuated, with targeted shootings often linked to gang disputes. The Metro noted that Harlesden has a history of such incidents, though specific prior events on Festing Road were not detailed in immediate reports. Local residents expressed shock to Sky News reporters, with one unnamed resident stating: “It’s terrifying to think this happened on Christmas Day right near our homes.”
Police have emphasised community cooperation as key to progressing the investigation, with no further suspects identified and the motive under active enquiry. The victim, whose identity and age have not been released, continues to receive treatment, and the cordon on Festing Road persists as forensic examinations continue.
