Diners hide as gunman opens fire

Terrified diners dived for cover when a gunman opened fire as he ran down an east London street.

The gunman was chasing another man down Lauriston Street in Hackney and caused panic when he began firing wildly at his target.

No one was hit by the bullets and the intended victim escaped.

According to one eyewitness, the gunman made a getaway in a black Citroen at about 7.30 pm.

Armed police were called and the area was sealed off as forensic experts searched for bullets.

Eyewitnesses spoke of their terror as shots rang out in the street.

Mathew Procter, a chef in a local restaurant said he saw a black male aiming a gun at another man and firing as he ran down the street.

He said: "Everyone was happy and relaxed enjoying their meal, when I saw the man running down the street firing shots. I shouted: 'There's someone there with a gun'. There was panic and everyone just dived. It was terrifying."

Restaurant manager Nicola King said: "It is absolutely shocking and makes me feel very threatened."

Dean Costello, who runs a minicab firm, also heard the shots and saw the gunman make his escape. A customer waiting for a cab was so terrified she ran away.

In a separate incident, a man was shot dead during an armed robbery at an off-licence in south London. Police went to the scene in Sutton Common Road and found the victim, who is yet to be identified, on the floor of the shop.