A prominent Black Lives Matter activist has been left hospitalized after being shot.
According to BBC News, the London Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 27-year-old woman was shot in the head at a social gathering at approximately 3:00AM in Southwark in South London, on Sunday, May 23.
The BBC reports that officials for the police declined to disclose the woman's identity.
But in a later post on Instagram, the Taking the Initiative Party, a British pro-BLM political movement, appeared to confirm that the victim was key member Sasha Johnson, who has been campaigning with them for a number of weeks.
In a statement made to their 11,800 followers on the platform, a spokesperson for the organization wrote:
"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.
"She is currently in intensive care and in a critical condition. The attack happened in the early hours of this morning, following numerous death threats as a result of her activism.
The spokesperson continued:
"Sasha has always been actively fighting for black people and the injustices that surround the black community, as [...] a member of BLM and a member of Taking the Initiative Party's Executive Leadership Committee.
"Sasha is also a mother of 2 and a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community. Let's all come together and pray for Sasha, pray for her recovery and show our support to her family and loved ones. [sic]"
However, the Metropolitan Police has not attributed the shooting to Johnson's political activism, with investigators from the Specialist Crime Command claiming that there is thus far nothing to suggest that the incident was the result of a targeted attack.
Per BBC News, Detective Inspector Jimi Tele stated: "This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries. Our thoughts are with her family, who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time."
Tele added: "If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch."
Black Lives Matter UK has since tweeted that a vigil will be held for Johnson on Monday afternoon at King's College Hospital.
