Innocent Polish carer killed by a stray bullet in gang shooting

A care assistant found dying from gunshot wounds was on her way home from work when she got caught in crossfire between two gunmen, detectives revealed yesterday.

Magda Pniewska, 26, was hit in the head by a stray bullet after she walked from the Manley Court Nursing Centre across the road to the flat she shared with her boyfriend in an area of south London notorious for its drug dealers and gang crime.

Armed police found the Polish migrant lying in a stairwell after they were called by neighbours who heard shots at Stunell House – a four-storey block of flats off Cold Blow Lane in New Cross. Ms Pniewska died an hour later in hospital.

Officers said shots were exchanged between a man standing beside a red Volkswagen Polo near the flats and a second man at the top of a flight of stairs leading to a nearby field.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Boughton, of Scotland Yard's Operation Trident unit, which investigates gun crime in London's black community, said Miss Pniewska was "an innocent woman caught in the crossfire". Speaking at the scene yesterday, he added: "At about 6.20pm on Tuesday, there were reports of gunfire. A red VW Polo was parked in the car park by a silver cabriolet. At the front passenger side was a man and at the top of the steps was another man. They opened fire on each other."

Ms Pniewska had lived in Britain for at least four years and was an activities co-ordinator at Manley Court – a care home for patients with dementia and other mental health problems. She was taking her normal route across the car park and up the steps when she was shot, Mr Boughton explained. "I'm sure that at 6.20pm there were many more people who may have seen the tragic murder of Magda. We appeal to those people to please come forward," he added.

One witness claimed the gunmen, aged about 17 or 18, had met over an unpaid debt in the car park. The 19-year-old, who was too scared to give her name, said: "One was leaning into a VW Polo talking to some people. Suddenly, the other guy came down the stairs with a bandana covering his face but you could see his eyes change in a split-second, like he thought he was being set up. One pulled out a handgun from his trousers and fired two or three shots at the car. The other guy then got out a similar gun from his pants and shot back, using the bonnet for cover. There were about five shots in total.

"There was no shouting, just shots. I don't know where this woman came from. She came from nowhere. The two guys completely missed each other and hit an innocent bystander."

Another witness said that at least one suspect was believed to be from the local Ghetto Boys gang, adding: "I'm pretty sure it was over drug money."

Oliver Thomas, the south-east regional director of Bupa Care Homes, which owns Manley Court, said that staff at the 85-bed unit were shocked and saddened by Ms Pniewska's death. "Magda was a truly lovely person and one of the most dedicated carers," he added. "She will be most deeply missed."

Three men and a woman were being questioned about the killing last night. A red VW Polo found abandoned less than two miles from the scene was being examined by a forensics team.