Men in their 20s charged after car chase ended with shots being fired at police officers

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Four people have been charged with attempted murder and possession of a shotgun after a shooting incident in east London.

Scotland Yard said four men in their early 20s had each been charged with three counts of attempted murder, possession of a shotgun, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life, and two counts of possession of a knife after they were caught with a “zombie knife” and an axe.

Lekan Akinsoji, 20, Nathaniel Lewis, 22, Darnell Joseph-Newill, 21, and Troy Ifill, 21, are scheduled to appear at Barkingside magistrates court on 30 July.

Police said the charges relate to an incident in the Leystonstone and Forest Gate areas of east London on 26 July, when a car chase ended in a gun fight with police officers. An armed response unit returned fire after shots were fired from a BMW.

Akinsoji and Lewis have also been charged with possession of a firearm following a suspended sentence, and Ifill has been charged with possession of a firearm when prohibited and an addition count of possession of a knife.