The mother of a Woodford Green trader shot three times in the stomach and chest gave an “emotional” speech at an emergency meeting set up by Iain Duncan Smith yesterday morning.

More than 50 residents went to caf� Belgique in High Road to discuss the incident which saw the part-owner of Cakes and Shakes, named locally as James Bryant, targeted by a lone gunman on Monday.

A spokeswoman for the Chingford and Woodford Green MP said the woman stood up at the meeting and told everyone who was she.

“It was unexpected,” she said.

“She stood up and gave an emotional speech about the whole thing.

“She was in floods of tears, it was very sad.

“She said he was shot right in front of her.

“She said he had heart failure, liver failure and lung failure, it’s really serious.

“It doesn’t seem like he’s going to make it.”

Later, four men, all in their 20s, were arrested in connection with the attack at the milkshake parlour which happened around 2pm.

A neighbouring shop keeper said Mr Bryant had been clearing up the mess from another shooting on Saturday, which damaged the front window, with his mother and others and was given first aid at the scene.

Witnesses said the gunman fled towards Fuller’s Avenue which was cordoned off along High Road while police secured the area.

The Recorder spoke to residents who live near the business and they want to see it closed down or see the hours of trading reduced.

A Fuller’s Avenue resident, who did not want to be named, said: “Clearly there is something going on and they are using the venue as a place for their dispute.

“It seems to attract the wrong kind of people.

“I’ve got two children and really don’t want a business like that around here.”

A neighbour added: “At best it should be closed down or at least have its hours restricted to 9pm or 10pm.”

The incident is being investigated by specialist officers from the Met Police’s Trident team, which deals with gun crime within the Capital’s black community.