TWO men were hospitalised after a shooting on Tuesday night near the O2 Academy Islington in the Angel Centre.

The men, aged 33 and 27, were both found with gunshot wounds. The London Ambulance Service attended with a specialist trauma team from an air ambulance and treated them on the scene. They were both then taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 33-year-old’s injuries were assessed as life-changing.

The Metropolitan Police were called to the venue where there were two gigs on, with south London rapper Catch in one room, and indie band Overdrive in the other.

In a statement posted to their Instagram account, the band said: “Thank you all of you who came out to our London show tonight. We were having an incredible night and were really shocked to hear about the incident that happened outside the venue.”

The band’s set had been stopped early, and the whole venue placed into lockdown as the scene unfolded.

Staff at the George IV pub, just across the road, said they saw “around 30 police cars” lined up whilst there was a “commotion” outside the Angel Centre. They arrived the next morning to find the centre cordoned off.

No arrests have been made, and officers said investigations were continuing.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart said: “This was an incredibly reckless incident in a busy area close to a major venue and no doubt caused significant fear among members of the public.

Violence has no place in our communities, and we are pursuing every available line of enquiry to identify those involved. There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, and anyone with concerns is urged to speak to officers.

“We recognise the impact this is having, and we are grateful for the understanding and cooperation of the community.”

Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact 101, quoting CAD 7386/27OCT, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.