A 26-year-old woman shot dead in south London is believed to have been caught in the cross-fire between two gunmen.
Magda Pniewska, a care worker, was found seriously injured at about 1820 BST on Tuesday outside Stunell House in John Williams Close, New Cross.

The Polish national was shot in the head after two men opened fire close to a car.

Three men and a woman have been arrested and a red Volkswagen Polo car recovered. No weapon has been found.

Ms Pniewska was taken to King's College Hospital by ambulance, where she was pronounced dead shortly before 2000 BST.

[Magda] had finished work and had got caught up in the cross-fire

Det Ch Insp Tony Boughton

She arrived from Poland four years ago and had been living with her boyfriend while working as an activities co-ordinator at the nearby Bupa-run Manley Court nursing centre.

Police are investigating whether the shooting was linked to drug dealing on John Williams Close.

Witnesses said up to five shots had been fired in quick succession.

Luigh Carfrae, a local resident, said he heard "just four pops and then a car screeching off. I assumed the pops were a car back-firing.

"It didn't occur to me that it could actually be gunshots."

Det Ch Insp Tony Boughton said Miss Pniewska was "an innocent woman caught in the cross-fire".

He believed shots were exchanged between a man in a parked red Volkswagen Polo and another man standing at the top of some nearby steps.


Miss Pniewska was a "dedicated carer"
He said: "Miss Pniewska was making her way home and this would have been a normal route across the car park, up the steps and home.

"She had finished work and had got caught up in the cross-fire."

Mr Boughton said the red Volkswagen Polo was later found abandoned about one-and-a-half miles from the scene.

He had no details of its condition, but said it was undergoing tests by forensic scientists.

A cordon has been placed around the crime scene and residents living within the cordon were prevented from going back into their flats until Wednesday evening.

Oliver Thomas, of Bupa, said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Magda.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Magda was a truly lovely person and one of the most dedicated carers.

"She will be most deeply missed by both her colleagues and residents."

A resident who lives in the close, said he returned home at about 1900 BST on Tuesday and was met by a police cordon.

"I've lived here for two years and it's very quiet. It's just a typical London street and I've had no problems.

"I'm shocked to hear of something like this and I've never seen anything which might look like drug dealing."



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