'I tried to stay calm and help where I could'
A hospital doctor has received a formal commendation for his life-saving actions in response to a shooting in east London last year.
On 29 May 2024, Dr Timothy McMillan was at his home when he heard shots on Kingsland High Street in Dalston, east London. He went towards the Evin Restaurant and provided emergency medical care to the injured, including a nine-year-old girl.
The incident made national news after a motorcyclist slowed to a stop outside the restaurant and fired six shots. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Javon Riley, 33, was found guilty of three counts of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. In September 2025 he was sentenced to a minimum of 34 years in prison.
Dr McMillan, who at the time worked at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundations Trust, recalled how the scene inside the restaurant was ‘chaotic’.
He added: “It was noisy, with people shouting, there was broken glass everywhere and at first it wasn’t clear how many people had been injured.
“I tried to stay calm and help where I could. We used what we had available, using belts and tea towels to try and control bleeding and then focused on supporting the young girl’s breathing until more help arrived.”
Now working on the Intensive Care Unit at The Royal London Hospital, Dr McMillan has received a Certificate of Commendation from Judge Mark Lucraft KC, Recorder of London, who oversaw the case.
In his commendation, presented on December 3, Judge Lucraft wrote that “whilst others were running away he ran towards the Evin restaurant and provided immediate expert care to the injured and no doubt contributed greatly to there being no loss of life.”
On receiving the award Dr McMillan said: “I’m proud to accept this award, though my thoughts remain with the young girl who is living with the consequences of what happened that evening.
“I’d also like to recognise the significant contribution of the police officers, paramedics and London’s Air Ambulance crews who attended. Faced with a challenging and uncertain environment, you responded with courage, skill and professionalism.
“Without your individual and collective resolve to help those in need, the outcome would have been far worse.”
Brittany Clarke, Detective Chief Superintendent (BCU Commander for Hackney and Tower Hamlets), said: “I was honoured to be able to meet and present Dr Timothy McMillan with a Judges Commendation for his bravery and life-saving medical intervention on 29th May 2024.
"This horrific incident shook our local community, and where many others would not, Tim walked into that restaurant where 4 people had been shot, with courage, bravery and pure altruism to help those who were injured and needed help.
“Tim and his family, the NHS, and our local community should be rightly proud of him, as we are all here in the Met.”