Police are now searching for two men in connection with Monday’s shooting on Essex Road.

Witnesses saw the men fleeing from the scene on dark-coloured mopeds shortly after the shooting which took place at around 1pm.

A 23-year-old man suffered life changing injuries and witnesses said he was shot in the back – he was taken to an east London hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

It had been thought that the man may have been shot when a gun went off by accident in his rucksack, but the focus of the investigation is now on finding the two suspects.

The firearm is yet to be found.

A staff member at the Angel Cafe, just yards from where the incident took place, said: “I looked out of the window and saw him there on the pavement.

“The police were all over him – he was wearing a white t-shirt and you could see the bullet hole and the blood on his shirt.

“At first I thought the police might have shot him.”

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8358 0711