Dogwalkers heard the gunshots that left a man dead and a woman in hospital in a Hackney park popular with children and families.
A man and a woman in their 40s were shot around 7pm last night (September 17) in Clissold Park.
Both were taken to hospital where the man later died. Police are awaiting an update on the condition of the woman.
Clissold Park, home to playgrounds and a splash park for children, was open at the time of the incident with people walking their dogs.
Sinead Oldnall’s son was walking the dog when he heard four shots.
She said: “My son was in the park when it happened last night.
“He phoned me at 7.20pm, he had just got home. He heard four pops and thought it was fireworks and then he realised that it wasn’t.
“And he was not far. He was literally just there [near the Green Lanes entrance, where a crime scene is in place] and he just ran home with the dog.
“He phoned me in a panic. He was shaken up.”
A woman, who asked not to be named, described hearing loud sirens as she reassured her young child.
She said: “It worries me. I have a seven-year-old boy and this is so close to home.
"My son is talking about it, saying 'Mum, what if it happens near us.' He is worried.
“It could happen to anyone at any time. I heard all the sirens and the helicopter - it was crazy. What is this world coming to?
“It used to be so lovely, you used to be able to walk around freely, people sitting in the park having picnics and lots of families about. This park is very popular.
“People would have been walking their dogs after work.”
Mirza Yazdani is a regular park user and was hoping to go for a morning jog, but was blocked by the crime scene.
He said: “It's kind of common in this area. I've heard a lot of shootings recently. Last month there was one near Stoke Newington.
“As a human being, [this worries me]. Because these things shouldn't be happening.
“People should have some humanity. I don't understand how people just go ahead and do this kind of stuff, kill someone or even try to. I don't really get it.
“So it does affect me in that way - but not in my regular life.
“I have trust in God. Whatever happens will happen no matter what.”
LIVE updates from scene of fatal shooting in Clissold Park with cordon in place
Police believe the two victims are known to one another, describing it as an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
There have been no arrests, and Clissold Park and Green Lanes remain closed.
Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter, who is responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “We understand this is a deeply distressing incident for those involved, the witnesses in the park and the community in the surrounding area.
“We are in the early stages of the investigation, but we believe the man and woman are known to one another and at this time, we are treating it as an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public.
“Officers are working at pace to establish the full circumstances of the incident and will continue to support those who are affected.
“A crime scene remains in place for investigation with an increased police presence.”
The incident comes after a man, Erdal Ozmen, was shot to death on Stoke Newington High Street in August.
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